Jamie Rothwell is to be sentenced later this week
Jamie Rothwell(Image: M.E.N.)
Salford gangster Jamie Rothwell ordered shootings and dealt firearms over Encrochat, stating: “Once you’re in, hard to go back.”
Rothwell, a leading member of the city’s Anti A-Team gang, admitted a string of offences in February. His guilty pleas can be reported for the first time after reporting restrictions were lifted in July.
In February, Rothwell, 38, of Grindon Avenue, Salford, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life; one count of conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A, namely cocaine; two counts of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and a single count of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B, namely ketamine.
At a sentencing hearing on Monday, Manchester Crown Court heard that Rothwell, also known as Livelong, sent a message in April 2020, in which he targeted Leon Cullen, stating: “I’ve give Leon a way out….he a grass…he turned on me for nothing….tried kill me….while my daughter there…he my only enemy….when he lands in UK that’s when it starts.”
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When a threat to life order was issued to Liam Byrne, Rothwell discussed with username Caperocket his wish to find his address, then provided images of his address via Google Earth. He then said: “I’m gonna do them all soon.”
He then discussed the van that was to be used, the court heard.
On April 24, that same van was captured on CCTV pulled up outside of a house in Warrington.
Speaking of the shooting, prosecutor Jaime Hamilton KC said: “What happens at the door is described by Lynn Holding, Liam Byrne’s mother, and David Barnes, Byrne’s stepfather, who were at their home address when there was a knock at the door.
“David Barnes went to answer the door. He opened the door and recalled hearing the words “pizza delivery”, he also believed that he saw a number of pizza boxes. The combination of the fact that they had not ordered a pizza and the notice that had been given to his stepson caused David Barnes to think something was amiss and he closed the door.
“As the door was closing he heard two shots and a third shot after he closed the door. His recollection is that the third shot passed through the door and struck him in the leg. He heard two further shots. He called to his wife to stay in the room where she was and to ring an ambulance.”
Mrs Holding then called 999 and her son Liam Byrne.
“One of the officers attending at the scene recovered two shell casings from the floor directly outside the front door. The same officer recovered a further shell casing from the pavement,” Mr Hamilton said.
Jamie Rothwell(Image: M.E.N.)
“During the course of the evening there is discussion between Rothwell and another encrochat user discussing the two attacks that have been planned for that evening, both taking place in Warrington. It is apparent that those organising events are aware of what happened at Poplars Avenue shortly after the shooting.
“Rothwell and Caperocket discuss the success of both attacks in a conversation that takes place on 25th April 2020. Rothwell shares a screenshot of an online news story about someone from Orford being taken to hospital with gunshot wounds.
“Rothwell boasts “I done two same time”. Caperocket asks “who did you get yesterday” and Rothwell responds “I got the dad….Liam…..I took Leon dad door of {sic} also.”
The court heard that the occupier of Charlie Cullen’s former home address confirmed that between 10.30pm and 11pm on 24th April 2020 there was a knock at his front door.
“When he answered the door there was a man holding two pizza boxes. The occupier had not ordered a pizza. The man holding the pizza boxes asked for “Charles” and then “Charles Cullen”. The occupier explained that Cullen no longer lived there, and the male walked away,” Mr Hamilton said.
The court heard that Rothwell was involved in the buying and selling of guns and drugs, with messages including: “Any Glocks for sale bro.” He also instructed others on collecting firearms and drugs around the country.
He was also able to warn others about potential police activity on the roads, in particular in connection with the Covid-19 response, the court heard.
Jamie Rothwell(Image: NCA)
Speaking about the nature of Rothwell’s criminality, Mr Hamilton said: “In conversation with username Tubbytern, Rothwell indicates that he is trying to remain with a low profile but is very busy “sending constant….metal tops bottoms ket”.
“He went on to boast “I sent 300 straps home….I got RPG, M16, Aks, Glock Machines.” He states to Makinson “I sell a lot of Glocks”.
“In the conversation with Tubbytern he also referenced the case for which he was wanted at the time in the UK (offences of which he was ultimately acquitted) but referenced them as “because a few women got shot”.”
Rothwell also discussed the international nature of his business, referencing Amsterdam, Spain, sending drugs to Ireland, having an Amazon truck doing runs to Belfast, a coffee shop in Amsterdam and having a bonded warehouse operation, the court heard.
The court was told that Rothwell himself gave an insight into the violence that is the ‘hallmark and byproduct’ of his business, in a conversation with Tubbytern on April 9.
Mr Hamilton said: “He discussed how he does not have anything to do with his youngest child as she does not need to be exposed to the level of danger that his world provides.
“He goes on to say “when you have fire in your heart…you don’t stop…you get addicted…..you lose everyone….you turn cold, no emotions….its not egos bro….people say that…till u get shot or a friend does…. u just stop….tick for tack….egos at first I agree…but then when you in, hard to go back.”
Being sentenced alongside Rothwell are: Andrew Ackers, Scott Davies, Craig Makinson, John Moore, James Close, Callum Morris, Zak Rourke, Terence McDonagh and John Stankus:
Andrew Ackers, 39, of Benjamin Road, Wigan, was charged with conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug – cocaine; and conspiracy to conceal / disguise / convert / transfer / remove criminal property.Scott Davies, 36, of Courier Place, Wigan, was charged with conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug – heroin; and conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug – cocaine.Craig Makinson, 50, of Springpool, Winstanley, was charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life/enable another to do so; conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug – heroin; conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug – cocaine; conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug – amphetamine; and conspiracy to conceal / disguise / convert / transfer / remove criminal property.John Moore, 38, of Kendal Drive, was charged with conspiracy to conceal / disguise / convert / transfer / remove criminal property and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.James Close, 44, of Henry Street, Leigh, was charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug – cocaine; and conspiracy to conceal / disguise / convert / transfer / remove criminal property.Callum Morris, 33, of Carr Bank Crescent, Atherton, was charged with conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug – cocaine; and conspiracy to conceal / disguise / convert / transfer / remove criminal property.Terence McDonagh, 34, of Thorncroft Avenue, Astley, pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.Zak Rourke, 35, of Deakins Mill Way Egerton, Bolton, was charged with conspiracy to possess firearms with intent, conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent, conspiracy to supply cocaine, ketamine and possess criminal property.John Stankus, 70, of Wigan Street, Platt Bridge, Wigan, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine