Drug dealers Jack Fowler, 24, and Rhys Bell, 23, were both jailed

Two Newcastle drug dealers were found with 10 wraps of cocaine stashed inside an Easter egg.

Jack Fowler, 24, was behind the wheel of a Hyundai in Byker when police saw a “drugs transaction” take place. Soon after, his pal Rhys Bell, 23, got in his car and police swooped in. But when the officers tried to speak to Fowler, he attempted to reverse away, smashing into a taxi and another parked car in the process.

Both Bell and Fowler were eventually arrested and hundreds of pounds worth of crack-cocaine was found stashed inside an Easter egg. A hatchet and a machete were also in the car, along with mobile phones which included text messages relating to drug-dealing.

On Tuesday, Fowler, of Northbourne Street, Elswick, and Bell, of Avison Court, Avison Street, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for possession of a class A drug with intent to supply and possession of a bladed article. Fowler was also sentenced for dangerous driving, with Bell being sentenced for a charge of assaulting a police officer. They had both pleaded guilty.

The court heard that police were on patrol in the early hours of June 25, 2023, when they spotted Fowler in a Hyundai parked at the BP petrol garage on Shields Road in Byker. Joe Hedworth, prosecuting, said: “A male on a bicycle was leaning into the vehicle and a transaction took place.

“The cyclist rode away and Bell entered the passenger side. Police then blocked their exit and officers spoke to Fowler – he attempted to reverse. [The officer] stood in front of the car and told him to stop.

“He reversed at speed, crashing into two stationary vehicles at the pumps. The officer was concerned about damage to the pumps and risk of a fire.”

Fowler then reversed once again, resulting in his Hyundai becoming “embedded” in one of the parked cars. The officers then began to smash the rear windows of Fowler’s car as he tried to drive away. When one of the officers “thrust” their baton at him, he eventually told them: ‘I give up’.

Fowler was then arrested as Bell attempted to get out of the car and flee. There was then a struggle with the officers and Bell hit out at one before he was eventually arrested. The court heard that one of the cars Fowler damaged was a Blueline taxi, with £1,000 damage being caused.

When Fowler’s car was searched, a machete and a hatchet were found, along with over £160 cash and 10 small bags of white powder inside an Easter egg. Tests later revealed the white powder was in fact crack-cocaine. When Fowler was searched, five more wraps of cocaine were found stashed inside a Kinder egg.

The court heard that Fowler had 14 previous convictions for 31 offences, and went on to be jailed for two years for violent disorder after being involved in the far-right Sunderland riots. Bell had 18 previous convictions for 47 offences.

Penny Hall, defending Fowler, said he had been a victim of an arson attack. She said: “His house had been the subject of arson and he became involved in supplying drugs while in debt.”

Ms Hall added that Fowler had completed a catering course in prison and was an “enhanced prisoner”. She said he hopes to open his own business after prison or work on an oil rig.

Judge Robert Spragg jailed Fowler for four years and banned him from driving for four years and three months. He must sit an extended re-test if he wants his licence back.

Bell, who had also breached a suspended sentence, was jailed for four years and 10 months. A total of 14 months of his suspended sentence was re-activated.

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Fowler was also jailed for his involvement with the UK Riots

Michael Parker, 54, was captured on CCTV making gestures and approaching the police line

A rioter has been jailed after kicking out at police during the violent disorder in Sunderland last summer

Michael Parker, 54, was caught on CCTV during the riot on August 2 last year approaching the police line and kicking out at officers. Newcastle Crown Court heard Parker had also been spotted gesturing towards officers and “goading” bystanders to join in.

In mitigation, the court was told Parker was “deeply appalled and ashamed” at his involvement in the offence. The court was told he “struggled to comprehend” why he became involved and “highly respects” the work police officers do.

The court was told Parker, of Norfolk Street, Sunderland, was dealing with family issues at the time. On sentencing Recorder Toby Hedworth said the defendant was “a man of essentially good character”.

He added: “Unfortunately for someone who highly respects the police or the work they do, your behaviour on August 2 in Sunderland City Centre suggests something different. Unfortunately what was initially a planned protest turned into widespread civil disorder.

“The police were repeatedly attacked, often with missiles, your particular role in that having been one of those standing looking on, drinking, encouraging with gestures, encouraging, shouting. You then at one stage went to the front of those confronting the police line and kicked out at a police officer who was able to block your kick with the shield.”

Record Hedworth said officers were not there to be subjected to attacks by people such as Parker and those who approach and challenge police lines emboldens others to carry out violent and antisocial behaviour.

He added: “I have carefully considered the role you have played in the violence. You did not throw a missile at police but by going to the front of those who were challenging the police line, kicking out at officers and gesticulating at them and goading them to involve themselves with you were one of those who effectively on the ground were a ringleader.”

Parker, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was jailed for 22 months.

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Two 16-year-old boys have pleaded guilty to violent disorder in connection with major unrest outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers.

Sheffield Youth Court heard one of the boys was filmed helping other rioters place a bin on a fire outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August, while the other added wood to an existing flame.

The latter also admitted arson with intent to endanger life but said he only added the wood because he was “told to do so” by adults present.

The teenagers, who cannot be named due to their ages, had no previous convictions and will be sentenced at the same court on 25 June.

Both youths, who were aged 15 at the time of the offending, were granted unconditional bail ahead of their next hearing.

Magistrates warned the boy, who is facing two charges, that the arson offence was “particularly serious” and could be sent to the crown court.

In his basis of plea, the boy said he was “actively encouraged” by adults to engage in the riot and that he was “deeply sorry” for his actions.

The teen accepted putting wood onto an existing flame but said: “I was not thinking about the consequences and had no intent to endanger life.”

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Supporters of both Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers have been jailed, received extended banning orders and large fines after a fight broke out following a game.

Violence erupted in Westhoughton after the two sides faced each other in August 2023.

Following an investigation and media appeals, officers from Greater Manchester Police executed several early-morning warrants in November the same year.

Bradley Jones, 33 of Rose Avenue, Beech Hill, was jailed for three years and four months for violent disorder, which included being on bail for similar offences from the violent disorder in Southport alongside a five year football banning order (FBO).

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A teenager “viciously and unrelentingly” attacked police officers protecting a hotel housing asylum seekers, a court has heard.

The boy, 17, was “at the heart” of major disorder outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August, Sheffield Youth Court was told on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Owen Burns said the boy attacked police “with any weapon or object he could find” and was filmed throwing missiles and fireworks, using racist slurs and chanting “burn it down” in reference to the hotel.

The youth, who cannot be named due to his age, had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and has now been handed a 12-month intensive referral order.

The boy, who had no previous convictions, was also ordered to pay £400 in compensation to South Yorkshire Police.

About 400 people descended on the hotel in Rotherham, which was housing approximately 200 asylum seekers at the time.

The situation became increasingly violent as the day progressed, with bricks, fence posts and other missiles hurled at officers and multiple fires set around the building.

Extensive footage collected by police showed the youngster during various pockets of the violence, arming himself with fireworks, throwing them towards officers and smashing the window of a police van.

He was also captured attempting to tip over a police van, forcefully kicking against riot shields, throwing a brick against a hotel window, kicking over a wooden fence and using what was left of it “as ammunition”.

Mr Burns told district judge Tim Spruce: “It is the Crown’s case that he is on the very front lines of the attack.

“His assaults on the officers are sustained, unrelenting and vicious and carried out with any weapon and object he can find at the time.

“My submission is that his sole aim or purpose is to cause injury.”

‘Deeply sorry’

In mitigation, it was heard the boy was 16 at the time of the offence and had no racist views.

Since the riot last year, he had been focusing on his education and had become a father.

The court was told the teenager was “deeply sorry” for his actions and promised that “something like this will never happen again”.

Judge Spruce told the youngster during the hearing that he had “only just been persuaded” to not impose an immediate custodial term.

“Since August I’ve dealt with many young people in your position,” he said.

“I have to say, of all the young people, this is by far the worst violence I have seen.”

The judge added: “This was overtly racist behaviour on your part. You might not be a racist but that’s what it was.”

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