Tyneside gang who murdered and maimed to enforce and protect drugs business left trail of suffering

A gang who murdered and maimed to protect and enforce their drugs business left a trail of pain and suffering.

Four men are starting life sentences with minimum terms totalling 118 years after a series of ammonia attacks during which Andrew Foster was killed, Nicola Dixon lost an eye and others were injured. Drug dealer Youssef Wynne, enforcer Kenneth Fawcett, John Wandless and Josh Hawthorn played a part in “taxing” attacks to protect the “lucrative” criminal trade in drugs they were involved in.

As the quartet were locked up at Newcastle Crown Court, a series of victim impact statements were read outlining the misery they had caused. Mr Foster's mum, Karen Foster, said: “Andrew was my only child and I was a single parent. We were close and did everything together. He was not just my son, he was my best friend. I could always rely on him to cheer me up if I was feeling down or low. He always left me feeling better.”

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“Andrew was the life and soul of the party and loved to make people laugh and was always happy. He was kind and caring and always ready to lend a hand.

“My whole world changed when I got the terrible news Andrew was in hospital after being attacked with ammonia. We were camping and our happy break changed into a total nightmare.

“Once I got to Andrew’s side in hospital I was told he was not likely to survive. They said to get everyone to hospital who wanted to say goodbye to him. Unfortunately he died later that day. He passed away surrounded by his family and close friends.

“I’ve struggled enormously since Andrew’s death. I’m still very angry. I’m haunted by the horrible, violent way Andrew died and by images I have of him in hospital hooked up to machines with tubes everywhere.

“Andrew’s death has changed me in every way. I’m heartbroken because he has gone forever and I’ve lost so much because he is not here with me. I’m devastated because I can’t tell him I love him and hear him say he loves me.”

Andrew’s partner, Katie Harrison, said in her victim impact statement: “How can I put into words the impact of that night? It’s utterly devastated our lives and broken my heart beyond anything I knew possible”

“Andy was a lovely, kind, funny person who has left this world far too soon in such a violent and unnecessary way

“I know some things I will have to live with forever, for example I have flashbacks, the fear and panic running through me body, feeling helpless while desperately trying to keep Andy alive, struggling with the smell of ammonia, seeing him struggling for breath, fighting for his life as he lay on the ground outside.”

She added: “I’ve lost the love of my life, my best friend, our home, my security, my future. Me and my dog miss Andy so much. She still looks for him, waiting for him to come back.”

“I’m a shadow of who I previously was. I’ve gone from being a happy-go-lucky person to being totally overwhelmed by everything. I have a hole in my heart and a void in my life.”

“I have no words for those responsible for Andy’s death. I hope I never have to set eyes on them ever again.

“Andy will always be remembered by those who loved him.”

A victim impact statement was also read from Nicola Dixon, who lost an eye in a separate attack. She said her eye was left “literally melting” and she questioned: “For what? I don’t understand. I want to know why me. Why target me? There was no need. Why did they hate me so much?

“I look in the mirror and see my face has changed. I will never look the same again. My looks and appearance are important to me. “I feel people are looking at me when I walk down the street.

“My anxiety is through the roof. I feel like I’m caged in a nightmare. I don’t think they realise what they have done to change my life and for what? Nothing. I’m serving my own life sentence.”

In a further statement after her eye was removed, she added: “It’s like a horror movie with no positive ending.

“I want to ask them how would they feel if this was a member of their family, their mam, their sister blinded by a chemical in their own house.”

Wynne, 39, of Wuppertal Court, Jarrow, Fawcett, 33, of Balkwell Avenue, North Shields, Wandless, 33, of no fixed address, and Hawthorn, 22, of Ashfield, Jarrow, were found guilty of all counts they were charged with, including murdering and robbing Mr Foster at his home in Wrekenton Fawcett and Wandless were physically present at the fatal attack and Wynne and Hawthorn were involved in organising it.

Wynne was also convicted of assaulting Mr Foster 11 months before he died in an alleged dispute over drugs.

Wynne, Fawcett and Wandless were also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Nicola Dixon on August 16 last year. She lost an eye as a consequence of the attack.

Wynne and Fawcett were also found guilty of attempting to cause GBH with intent on a man on August 9 2023. The man, who lived in South Shields with his children, was squirted in the face with ammonia on August 9 by by Fawcett. The prosecution say that Wynne asked Fawcett to carry out this attack.

Wynne, Fawcett and Wandless were convicted of attempting to cause GBH with intent on another man on August 12 last year. He was at a house in Hebburn when he was attacked. He sprayed in the face with ammonia and required hospital treatment. He had difficulty breathing, his eyes were stinging and his lips were swollen. Wandless had pleaded to handling a stolen VW Golf and arson by burning it out after it was used in three of the incidents.