27 EVOLVE criminals spending Christmas behind bars

A total of 27 criminals from Merseyside's three EVOLVE areas will be spending nearly 400 Christmases behind bars after being sentenced for their offences this year.

Tackling organised crime and protecting communities are key priorities for Merseyside Police.

The force is working closely with partners on the Home Office-backed Clear, Hold, Build strategy, known locally as EVOLVE, which has been introduced in areas blighted by organised crime to remove criminal gangs, prevent new ones moving into the void and then build the resilience of local communities against criminal activity.

EVOLVE was first employed in parts of Liverpool and Knowsley following the murders of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt Korbel, 29-year-old Ashley Dale and 22-year-old Sam Rimmer last August. 

EVOLVE Netherton began in April and EVOLVE Wirral was introduced following the murder of 26-year-old Elle Edwards last Christmas Eve, launching to the community with the Build phase in May. 

Superintendent Martin Earl, one of the senior officers for EVOLVE, said: “This year we have seen significant sentences given to some of the offenders guilty of the most heinous crimes.

“As a force our officers work hard to keep our streets safe and since the introduction of EVOLVE we have seen a noticeable reduction in firearms incidents as well as other serious and organised crime.

“We are identifying those involved in gangs who are engaging in drug-related activity and other criminality as well as those who are helping them in ways such as by laundering money and storing drugs, weapons or money. 

“We are using targeted policing to disrupt their activity and ultimately put them behind bars where many of these offenders can expect to spend a considerable length of time.

“Together with our partners we will be continuing to reduce the tolerance for organised crime in our communities and helping to rebuild neighbourhoods into places where people would love to live, work and visit.

“EVOLVE presents us all with an opportunity to make a difference to the lives of innocent people who have been living under the shadow of organised crime. 

“Our Silence is Not an Option campaign aims to make a difference to those living in Merseyside and to stop the next generation from becoming embroiled in gangs, but in order to do this we need people to tell us, or Crimestoppers completely anonymously, what you know about drug-related activity, weapons, cuckooing, grooming of vulnerable people by older gang members and other serious crime, so we can make Merseyside safer for all.”

Those that will be spending Christmas behind bars this year from EVOLVE Netherton include:

• Jacob Dickinson, aged 19, from Seaforth, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on June 8 to six years' detention in a Young Offenders’ Institute for robbery and section 18 wounding
• Gordon Rhodes, aged 58, of from Netherton, was convicted of three counts of possession of a firearm, three counts of possession of ammunition and possession of cannabis and jailed for nine years and nine months on August 17 at Liverpool Crown Court
• Adrian Craig, aged 36, from Fazakerley pleaded guilty to possession of Class A and B drugs with intent to supply and possession of criminal property and was jailed for five years on October 2 at Liverpool Crown Court

Those that will be spending Christmas behind bars this year from EVOLVE Wirral include:

• Kurtis Bolton, aged 27, from Bidston, was sentenced on January 31 at Liverpool Crown Court to nine years and eight months for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine
• Curtis Byrne, aged 22, of no fixed abode, was sentenced on February 16 to seven years for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine
• Connor Chapman, aged 23, of no fixed abode, was sentenced on July 7 at Liverpool Crown Court for 48 years for murder 
• Thomas Waring, aged 21, from Barnston, Wirral was sentenced on July 7 at Liverpool Crown Court to nine years for assisting an offender 
• Liam Jones, aged 30, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to eight years on August 4 at Liverpool Crown Court for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine
• Kenneth Thomas, aged 51, from Beechwood was sentenced on September 13 at Liverpool Crown Court to six-and-a-half years for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine
• John Lewis, aged 23, from Woodchurch, was sentenced on September 28 at Liverpool Crown Court to 24 years for attempted murder, conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and conspiracy to sell firearms
• David Delap, aged 34, from Prenton was sentenced on September 28 at Liverpool Crown Court to five-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs
• Liam Freaney, aged 37, from Bidston, was sentenced on September 30 at Liverpool Crown Court to 16 years for conspiracy to possess a firearm and conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.

Those that will be spending Christmas behind bars from EVOLVE Liverpool-Knowsley include:

•  Thomas Cashman, 35, from Liverpool, was sentenced to 42 years for murder, attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life on 4 April 
• Niall Barry, 26, from Tuebrook was sentenced to 47 years for murder, conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon on 22 November
• James Whitham, 41, from Huyton was sentenced to 43 years for murder, conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon on 22 November
• Sean Zeisz, 28, from Huyton was sentenced to 42 years for murder, conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon on 22 November
• Joseph Peers, 29, from Roby was sentenced to 41 years for murder, conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon on 22 November 

Anyone with information about crime he asked to call Merseyside Police on 101, or via social media @MerPolCC. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use their online reporting form by visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information