Drugs baron caught by bugging device is jailed

Jun 28 2008 The Journal

A NORTH-EAST drugs baron caught in an undercover police operation with the aid of a sophisticated bugging device was yesterday jailed for 12 years.

Robert Henson was at the head of a business distributing wholesale amounts of cannabis direct from the Continent, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

He and members of his team were arrested after a device was planted by police in his car, where it recorded numerous conversations he had with others in the vehicle and on his hands-free mobile phone, the court was told.

Henson, 59, of Ancroft Garth, Shincliffe, County Durham, had admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cannabis.

Samir Dahou, 33, of Doeford Close, Warrington, Lancashire, was jailed for 14 years after admitting conspiracy to supply heroin and firearms offences.

Peter Thirlaway, 38, of Dowling Avenue, Whitley Bay, was sentenced to nine years jail after admitting conspiracy to supply heroin and cannabis and possession of amphetamine with intent to supply.

Sean Hewitson, 26, of Rutherford Street, Wallsend, was sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment after admitting charges of conspiracy to supply heroin and possession of heroin.

John Rae, 40, of Killingworth Lane, Backworth, was jailed for four and a half years after admitting conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Henson’s daughter Amanda Elliott, 35, of Redwood Close, Hetton, County Durham, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended two years after admitting concealing criminal property on behalf of her father.

Frederick Foreman, 55, of Monks Park Way, Longbenton, Ian Dixon, 31, of The Briery, Throckley, and Kevin Curry, 48, of West Road, all Newcastle, were cleared of conspiracy to supply cannabis after a trial earlier this year.