South Devon drugs gang jailed for a total of 105 years

An organised crime gang who "brought misery" to communities in South Devon have been jailed for a combined total of 105 years.

‘The Geordies’ used violence and coercive tactics to maintain a criminal empire valued at £1million within Dawlish and Teignmouth.

A judge at Bristol Crown Court sentenced the group for a number of Class A and B drugs offences.

Police say the group exploited a number of vulnerable people and flooded the streets with cocaine and cannabis.

A total of 13 men were sentenced, with two of the gang's members also convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin.

Five of the gang have been convicted of multiple rapes.

Police say the group used serious violence to enforce debt - with some individuals owing as much as £50,000.

At the heart of the network was James Lee Brooks, said to have boasted he was 'King of Dawlish'.

He has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for running the drugs operation and 13 counts of aiding and abetting rape.

A video found on his phone was played in court, showing two members of the group severely beating a man who owed them money for drugs.

The gang’s offences occurred between 2018 and 2019. Police arrested the majority of the group on 27 March last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Wilden, head of the Serious and Organised Crime Team with Devon and Cornwall Police, said the guilty verdicts and significant custodial sentences in this case "will be extremely welcome to the victims and the townspeople of Dawlish".

“For too long, residents have had to live with the wide-ranging criminality, antisocial behaviour and general unpleasant atmosphere brought to the area by this group of criminals.

“The grip it had on certain aspects of town life was disproportionate and needed to be robustly addressed.

“Its members exploited vulnerable people, motivated by their nefarious criminality.