TWELVE men have pleaded guilty to being part of a drug gang which supplied cocaine and heroin in Chester and Ellesmere Port.

Eleven of the men admitted the class A drugs charges when they appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday, July 15, with one further defendant having already pleaded guilty on Tuesday.

Hakeem Stockon, 20, of Vale Road, Ellesmere Port; Karl Evans, 20, of Hillside Drive, Ellesmere Port; Anthony Carr, 30, Whetstone Hey, Ellesmere Port; Lee Preston, 21, of no fixed address; Connor Robins, 26, of Clover Lane, Lache in Chester; Mark Cavanagh, 30, of Foxdene, Ellesmere Port, Derek Silva, 28, Medlar Close, Chester; Paul Cusato, 30, of Parklands Gardens, Ellesmere Port; Curtis McHugh, 22, of Bailey Avenue, Ellesmere Port, Joshua Burns, 24, of Flint Court in Ellesmere Port and Liam Roberts, 25, of Wilmslow Drive, Ellesmere Port, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs diamorphine (heroin) and cocaine between September 2019 and June 2020.

In addition, Cavanagh pleaded guilty to driving dangerously on the A41 Chester Road in a Jaguar on April 16, while Silva pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis, a charge dating from February 21.

Callum Watson, 23, of Sheepfield Close, Ellesmere Port, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, but not guilty to the supply of diamorphine.

That plea was accepted by the prosecution and a formal not guilty verdict was given for Watson on that charge.

The court heard several other drug members are due to either enter their pleas or have denied the charges, and a trial on those pleading not guilty would likely take place next year, around April 2021.

Honorary Recorder of Chester Judge Steven Everett made it clear he wanted to make sure those who had pleaded guilty would be sentenced long before such trial would take place.

He added none of the defendants should be under any illusions, with many expected to receive "significant" custodial sentences.

A mention hearing was set for the week beginning August 24, where a date for sentencing would be made for those who had pleaded guilty, which the court heard was likely to be around mid-September.

  • Three men have denied conspiracy to supply class A drugs diamorphine and cocaine. Michael Hailwood, 49, of Wellington Road, Wallasey; Wayne Roberts, 49, of Dock Road, Birkenhead and Adam Arthur, 24, of Station Road, Ellesmere Port, all pleaded not guilty to the two charges and a trial date will be arranged for them at hearings on July 28 and August 3.
  • Seven men charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs diamorphine and cocaine are to enter their pleas at future hearings after their cases were adjourned this week. Daniel Riley, 19, of Mancot Way, Mancot; Robert Greenway, 37, of Mallory Road, Ellesmere Port, Wayne Lalland, 52, of Nicholas Street, Chester; Daniel Winning, 33, of Talbot Road, Frodsham; Shaun Winning, 31, of Malvern Road, Blacon; Jake Cunnah, 31, of Saughall Road Chester and Mark Griffin, 40, of Ludlow Road, Blacon, are due to enter their pleas in the next few weeks ahead of a mention hearing the week beginning August 24.