Eight Merseyside criminals were imprisoned over the past week, receiving a combined total of 37 years behind bars. Among them were a suspected drink driver who broke a police officer's shoulder, a burglar who tricked a dementia sufferer into believing she was his daughter, and a dad caught with 38 blocks of cocaine in his van.
Mum Smuggled Drugs in Bra
Rachael Talbot, 50, of Quarry Green in Kirkby, asked "am I going to jail?" as she was sentenced for attempting to smuggle thousands of pounds of drugs into HMP Liverpool inside her bra on behalf of an inmate called "Carlos." She had initially agreed to do so for £200, but when she backed out, criminals warned her her "children would get it."
Talbot admitted three counts of conveying a prohibited article into a prison and possession of cocaine. A judge told her: "It gives me absolutely no pleasure to do so, but the fact of the matter is that drugs in prison are of catastrophic value." She was jailed for four months.
Drug Dealer Claimed Dog Sale Proceeds
Paul Brimble, 37, of Sefton Street, was caught with £1,000 in cash and claimed he made the money by selling a Pomeranian dog. He offered heroin and cocaine under the codenames "brandy and whisky" and handed out cigarette papers with his phone number. He continued to operate as the "controller" of a county lines supply operation for nearly two months after his arrest.
Brimble admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine and possession of criminal property. He was jailed for three years.
Drink Driver Assaulted Officer
Billy Rutter, 38, of Mackenzie Road in Leasowe, ran a red light in front of police, then his van broke down. He fractured an officer's shoulder during a tussle in moving traffic, leaving the PC requiring surgery and months off work. A judge said: "Police officers do a difficult enough job. They are entitled to carry out their duties without being assaulted in this way."
Rutter admitted wounding without intent, assault, driving without due care and attention, and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for two years.
Burglar Targeted Dementia Sufferer
Natalie Riley, 44, of Geneva Road, tricked a dementia sufferer into believing she was his daughter before stealing from him. She was caught by the victim's niece, who remotely watched the burglary via CCTV and confronted her through an intercom. Riley admitted one count of burglary and was jailed for three years, with a five-year restraining order.
Paul McNabb, 40, of Queensbury Grove, Huyton, was caught with 38 blocks of high purity cocaine in his van. He used EncroChat handle "Mango Milk" to organise drug supply. He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of drugs and possession with intent to supply, and was jailed for 10 years and eight months.
Bradley Thompson, 40, of Martingale Close, used EncroChat handle "Mind Waiter" to plot the supply of more than 150kg of heroin, cocaine and cannabis. He enlisted a couple to test his product, calling them "pigs." He was unmasked after sharing personal details at a barbecue. Thompson admitted conspiracy to supply drugs and possession of criminal property, and was jailed for 14 years.
Ryan Shead, 33, of Anstey Road, a convicted sex offender, took pictures up women's skirts in a karaoke bar by pretending to tie his shoelaces. He was jailed for 20 months for recording images underneath clothing and breaching a sexual harm prevention order. A judge said: "Young women are entitled go out for a good time and be free from sexual predation by perverts."
Thomas Britnell, 40, formerly of Haven Road in Fazakerley, told a 999 call he was "like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" as he stabbed at his bedbound girlfriend's face. He admitted making threats with an offensive weapon and threats to kill, and was jailed for 28 months.
