Outraged judge increase Steven Thomas Dixon sentence
Nov 28 2009 The Journal
TOP judges were so outraged by a businessman’s attempt to appeal the jail term he was given – for hiring an underground enforcer to collect debts – that they added another two weeks onto his sentence.
Judges at London’s Criminal Appeal Court deemed Stephen Thomas Dixon’s challenge to his sentence so “unmeritorious” that they ordered him to serve an extra two weeks behind bars.
Lady Justice Hallett said his appeal had “taken time and resources away from other far more meritorious applications” and that the two weeks he spent on remand would no longer count towards his jail term.
Dixon, 47, of Burdon Hall Park, Burdon, Sunderland, admitted conspiracy to blackmail and was jailed for five years at Newcastle Crown Court in March this year.
His henchman, Neil Barratt, admitted the same offence – as well as causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a prohibited weapon. He was jailed for a total of nine years and did not challenge that sentence at the appeal court.
Judge Richard Brown, sitting with Lady Justice Hallett and Mrs Justice Rafferty, heard that Dixon enlisted the help of Barratt to recover an alleged £80,000 debt from a former business associate.
Between February and March last year, Barratt and Dixon met with their victim, each threatening him with dire consequences if he didn’t hand over the money. Dixon brandished a screwdriver at him on one occasion, telling him he would kill him if he didn’t pay up.
At the end of February, Barratt used a steel shovel to brutally attack the victim, striking him over the head. The 43-year-old man was left with a fractured skull, internal bleeding and, even after surgery, facial palsy.
Judge Brown, giving his judgment on Dixon’s appeal yesterday, said the offence only came to light as police investigated Barratt and others over a suspected drugs conspiracy.
Listening to taped conversations, caught after they bugged Barratt’s Mercedes, officers heard him boasting about the spade attack.
The judge said Dixon had no previous convictions, and that he probably did not realise quite how violent Barratt could be.
Despite observing that the pair’s victim was “no angel” either, the judge said: “Having witnessed the attack, Dixon still said he wanted Barratt to pursue the debt.”
Judge Brown refused Dixon permission to challenge his jail term and he will now pay for his abortive attempt to appeal against it with an extra fortnight behind bars.
