An underworld boss who ran a lucrative cocaine empire from behind bars has been jailed for 22 years and six months.
Despite serving prison time for a violent gang attack at a Newcastle pub, boxer Michael Ferry was able to pull the strings as the head of an organised crime group using a smuggled-in EncroChat device. A court heard he was responsible for supplying 53 kilos of cocaine.
In messages recovered when EncroChat was infiltrated, Ferry and an associate talked of making £1m each within three years and being on a "footballers' wages". Ferry is said to be a "feared and ruthless" crime gang boss and he is now facing a sentence "north of 20 years".
The 33-year-old, of no fixed address, will appear at Newcastle Crown Court today to be sentenced for conspiracy to supply 53 kilos of cocaine and conspiracy to produce cannabis. He had pleaded guilty to the offences.
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Key Events
Proceeds of crime hearing to take place
A proceeds of crime hearing will take place on November 15.
The hearing has now finished.
Ferry sentenced
Ferry has been jailed for 22 years and six months. He must serve 11 years and three months before serving the rest of his term on licence.
Ferry 'not as high in organised crime group' as crown suggests
The court hears that Mr Barraclough suggested that Ferry was "not as high in the organised crime group as the crown would [suggest] in the opening."
Ferry 'man of violence', says Judge
The judge says Ferry has an "unenviable record" but that he has no previous convictions for drug related offending. He says he is "a partner and a parent" and that his prison sentence will have an impact on them.
The Judge adds: "The defendant is not a career drug dealer…but he is a man of violence, both in a sporting past as a boxer and trainer…but also criminally."
Court hears Ferry's previous convictions
- In 2009 he was convicted of robbery and affray.
In 2010, he was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm after being involved in a pub attack which involved a pool cue.
In 2014, he was convicted of possession of a kitchen knife, a knuckle duster and ammonia.
In 2016 - threatening behaviour.
In 2019 he was jailed for 45 months for violent disorder. The court hears that in December 2016, Ferry was involved in disorder which took place at a Walker pub. Ammonia was squirted in a man’s face before he was attacked. The victim sustained a fractured skull.
Ferry 'leader of a criminal conspiracy which was set to make serious sums of money'
Judge Stephen Earl tells the court that "drugs are a scourge on modern society" that do "untold harm". He says Ferry was the leader of a criminal conspiracy which was set to make "serious sums of money".
He says Ferry "directed and led" the conspiracy and that a debt list was recovered from his home. He said there could have been "life changing sums of money" made from the significant enterprise.
The judge adds: "It is clear his role is a pivotal, controlling role within this conspiracy".
Sentencing begins
The sentencing of Ferry is now starting.
Ian Mullarky will be prosecuting the case, with Anthony Barraclough for Ferry.
