Jamie Rothwell is being sentenced for a string of crimes
Jamie Rothwell(Image: NCA)
Notorious gangster Jamie Rothwell’s criminality has been laid in full before a court.
Rothwell, a leading member of the city’s Anti A-Team gang, admitted a string of offences in February including conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life.
His criminality was discovered following the infiltration of encrypted phone network, Encrochat, in June 2020.
At a sentencing hearing on Monday, Manchester Crown Court heard that Rothwell, 38, also known as Livelong, was in close communication with James Close, also known as Ballsniffer. Prosecutors describe Close as a ‘junior partner’ to Rothwell.
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“On 2nd April, Rothwell and Close discussed Close’s planned visit to the North East in order to learn a process of adulterating cocaine,” said prosecutor Jaime Hamilton KC
“It is clear that Rothwell is issuing instructions to Close and that Close asks Rothwell if Rothwell’s brother is allowed to go, to which Rothwell gives his consent.”
Continuing his opening, Mr Hamilton said: “On 4th April Rothwell instructed Close that there were “5 tops” to collect in Liverpool, which John Westwood is dispatched to collect.
“Rothwell was also in contact with Rourke concerning the collection of £75K on this day.”
Of Makinson and Rothwell, he said Rothwell both supplied and directed the supply of drugs.
‘Any glocks’
The court heard that on 2nd April 2020, Makinson sent a message to Rothwell stating: “Any glocks”. Rothwell’s response is “no bro….soon though mate….if u ever need one u could borrow.”
“Callum Morris is in a similar position to Makinson with reference to his relationship with Rothwell in so far as drugs are concerned. At one stage Morris asks Rothwell if he has any cheap metals as he could do with a 9mm or a pump shotgun. Morris is intimately involved in the purchase and movement of firearms with Rothwell,” said Mr Hamilton.
“Rothwell was consistently warning others in this conspiracy and others about potential police activity on the roads, in particular in connection with the Covid-19 response.”
Turning to examples of Rothwell’s conduct, Mr Hamilton said: “On 5th April Rothwell asks Makinson if he can do “ket” as he knows someone that he can get them off and provides a price.
Jamie Rothwell
“On 6th April Rothwell is sending out photographs of 69 blocks of “top” with 2020 on the wrappings and one block with the wrappings opened and the 2020 logo embossed on the top. He tells another user that these drugs are not his but are available in Liverpool and that he can get them for the price of £37,000.
“Close arranges to deliver £74,000 and informs Rothwell when it has been delivered.
“On 7th April Rothwell complained that he lost 22 last week and that is why he is having to source “loads of tops” from people back home. He also complained to Tubbytern that someone has had £140,000 seized from them by the police.”
Continuing the opening, the prosecutor said: “Morris asked Rothwell with help over a £450K debt that had been outstanding for a considerable amount of time, with Morris suggesting that he and Makinson wanted to target the person’s family. Rothwell responds with: “I got trackers and cameras”, i.e. for surveillance purposes.
“On 15th April Rothwell sent Makinson a series of photographs of AK-47 assault rifles, followed by the message “few aks for sale”. Rothwell says that the guns are in the UK and that he is buying one. Makinson asks the price of the other one and is told that it is £10,500. Rothwell also shares one of the images with Morris.”
The prosecutor detailed another instance where the sale of an AK-47 was arranged, with Morris telling Rothwell that he had arranged for someone to pick it up.
Rothwell then tells Morris to get the money from Makinson, and tells him that the firearm is in Warrington. Close then confirms to Rothwell that Makinson is going to pay.
“Rothwell then sends Morris a screenshot showing the address of the Royal British Legion in Thelwall on the outskirts of Warrington. Morris confirms that he will collect the money from Makinson and then go to collect the firearm,” the court heard.
“As the afternoon goes on, Close becomes impatient with Morris, sending repeated messages asking him when he will arrive, worrying that the suppliers are sitting with the weapon in a public place waiting for him. Rothwell then intervenes, messaging Morris to ask where he is and telling him that Makinson is ready and waiting with the money.
Jamie Rothwell(Image: NCA)
“Morris reassures Rothwell that he has spoken to Makinson and is sorting the money out. The two liaise about estimated times of arrival at the rendezvous site.
“Rothwell tells Morris that he will get a “pump” dropped with him the following day.”
‘Makes me hard that bro’
Continuing his opening, Mr Hamilton said: “Morris collects the money. He checks with Rothwell whether he is handing over all £10,500 and is told that he should. He tells Rothwell that he is driving a black Audi A3 on an 09 plate. Rothwell tells him that the gun will be loaded and to ‘be careful’ with it. Rothwell tells Morris that he is meeting a red van and asks Morris to send a picture when he has the gun.
“Eleven minutes later, Morris sends another handle – “costaviper” – a picture of an AK-47 rifle with magazines and ammunition. He sends the same image to Rothwell’s “Livelong” handle. Rothwell expresses his satisfaction by writing “makes me hard that bro”, and Morris replies “it’s the boy that mate”. Morris assures him it will be kept safe.”
“The following day,16th April 2020 Morris asks Rothwell to let him know if he wants him to transport and conceal a pump-action shotgun. Morris makes arrangements to collect the shotgun the following day, and reports back to Rothwell what is happening.
“Rothwell begins the following day by ordering Close to chase in money they are owed in order to restart the flow of drugs once everybody’s debts are settled.
“A little later, Close confirms to Rothwell that he has collected £40,000 from a customer.”
Addressing the international network Rothwell is involved in, Mr Hamilton said: “On 21st April he forwarded a message to Close asking if there is anyone that has a boat near to Southampton as there was a boat off shore with 28 kilos of cocaine that they needed offloading.
“Morris shows Rothwell an image of an AK47 that he has been sent. Rothwell immediately responds that he will buy it if it is for sale. Morris asks if there are any 9mm guns for sale and Rothwell responds that he will “drop” him a Glock.
“When asked, Rothwell indicates that Morris can hold it for him but use it if need be. Rothwell then states that someone has two of his shotguns and Morris offers to [stare] anything for Rothwell.
“On 23rd April, Rothwell arranged for Morris to collect a shotgun from Droylsden. The shotgun obtained is in pieces. Morris offers to test it for Rothwell.
(Image: MEN Media)
“On 8th May Rothwell, Close and Makinson arranged the collection of 13 kilos of cocaine from London with Westwood being the courier.”
‘I’m gonna do them all’
The court heard of several messages in which he targeted fellow gangster 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.”
When a threat to life order was issued to Liam Byrne, Rothwell discussed with username Caperocket 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, before that same van was caught on CCTV pulling up outside an address in Warrington on April 24 2020.
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.
“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,” Mr Hamilton said.
“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.
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.”
All the men being sentenced and their charges
Being sentenced alongside Rothwell are: Andrew Ackers, Scott Davies, Craig Makinson, John Moore, James Close, Callum Morris, Zak Rourke, Terence McDonagh and John Stankus:
Jamie 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.Andrew Ackers, 39, of Benjamin Road, Wigan, was convicted of 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 convicted of 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 convicted of 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 convicted of 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 convicted of 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 convicted of 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 convicted of 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 convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine.