Local men sentenced for racially aggravated assault and affray in Walney pub

Today, 6th March 2012, two local males were sentenced for a racially aggravated assault and affray in the King Alfred public house, now called The Elephant.

Lee Gow, aged 40, from Dover Street Walney and John Cartmel, aged 28, from Bristol Street, Walney were each sentenced to 11 months imprisonment.

John Cartmel

Lee Gow

The incident occurred on the 2nd July 2011, when police were called to the pub by the owner, after he refused to serve two men. The landlord was aware that one of the men had been barred from the pub on a previous occasion.

Gow and Cartmel, both very drunk, then proceeded to hurl racist abuse at the landlord whilst throwing a number of chairs and bar stool over the bar towards him, he suffered injuries to his hand.

Neither men admitted their responsibility for the crime but pleaded guilty at Barrow Crown Court on the 5th March 2012 and were sentenced by Judge Batty QC on the 6th March to 11 months imprisonment each.

DC Matthew Ray said: “This was an investigation that focused on catching two men that racially abused a local business owner for no reason other than they could not be served alcohol.
“It was a disgusting crime that was committed in the full view of families with small children, with the help of the local community those responsible were caught and now face a term behind bars.
“Thankfully these types of incidents are rare in Barrow in Furness. However, the police, along with partner agencies, are dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities. We will do everything we can to keep them safe and will pursue those who target them and bring them to justice before the courts.”

Men sentenced to 18 years and 7 months for supplying drugs in Barrow

Four men have been sentenced today to a total of 18 years and 7 months in prison for for their involvement in a Conspiracy to illegally supply Class A Drugs into Barrow in Furness.

At Preston Crown Court, Nicholas Flaherty, aged 21 from Cleadon Road, Liverpool was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment; Kurtis Carney, 22, from Blossom Grove, Liverpool was sentenced to 5 years and 5 months imprisonment, Daniel Barclay, 21, from Greengate Street, Barrow was sentenced to 3 years and 7 months imprisonment and Andrew Millington aged 28 from Lindal Street, Barrow was sentenced to 3 years and 7 months imprisonment.

The sentencing follows a lengthy investigation conducted by the Targeting Unit based in South Cumbria that focused on the illicit supply of controlled drugs from the Merseyside area to Barrow in Furness. The conspiracy came to a conclusion on the 25th June 2011 when Flaherty and Carney were stopped in a local taxi in the area of Schneider Road. Quantities of heroin and crack cocaine were recovered with a street value of £240. This consisted of 11 street deals of cocaine and one street deal of heroin. Both were arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

As a result of these arrests, police attended the home address of Andrew Millington who was not present when the police entered. However Barclay was present and when searched they found 18 bags of cannabis in £20 street deals, £115, a cannabis grinder and a mobile phone.

Also at the address were a machete, shotgun cartridge and paraphernalia associated with the supply of drugs. On searching one of the bedrooms police located a hold all that belonged to Carney which had £1800 cash within it.

Police then searched a property on Greengate which was the home address of Barclay and found mobile phones and £1000 worth of cocaine in his bedroom. Officers then searched an outhouse in the property and found 108 street deals of cocaine that appeared to be in ‘crack’ form. This had a street value of £2160.

Andrew Millington was soon arrested for his involvement in this conspiracy as he was the owner of a property on Lindal Street, Barrow. He handed himself into the police on the 30th June 2011.

An integral part of this investigation was centred on mobile phones and the use of what is described as a ‘dirty phone’. A ‘dirty phone’ is often used by a drug dealer which, in this case, was heavily contacted by Barrow drug addicts. Police were able to establish that 36 different Barrow residents, known by the police to be drug addicts, had been in contact with that ‘dirty phone’ on many occasions.

The defendant Flaherty was connected to this ‘dirty phone’ on regular occasions throughout the entire period of the police investigation. Those four defendants entered into this conspiracy all playing different roles.

All four defendants pleaded guilty at Barrow Crown Court on the 10th January 2012.

Detective Constable Jamie Eaton said: “Today’s hearing marks the end of a complex investigation that uncovered a group that were involved in the supply of Class A drugs in the Barrow in Furness area.
“Thanks to the hard work of the targeting and intelligence units at Barrow police station, we have managed to apprehend and convict a network of drug dealers who crossed two force areas.
“Police work hard to tackle drugs in Barrow and lot of work goes on behind the scenes to build up cases so that we can take early, preventative steps to stop illegal drugs being pedalled onto our streets. Members of the public played a large part in this enquiry and we thank them for their support as we work together to tackle drugs in our communities. We rely on the public informing us of suspicious activity or information around illegal drug use or supply in the area. If you have information, please contact Barrow Police on 101.”

Detective Sergeant John Carton from South Cumbria’s Target Unit said: “Police are determined to bring anyone involved in the illegal supply of controlled drugs within Cumbria to justice. We know that the abuse of controlled drugs is a stain on our local communities and we endeavour to catch the offenders - wherever they live.
“We will not tolerate those who believe that they can travel into our county and bring drugs onto our streets.
“Today’s result shows the result of thorough police investigations. We make sure that the criminals involved are brought before their courts.”

You can also report drug related activity to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.  In 23 years they have never revealed the identity of anyone who has given them information.

Police investigate large quantity of lead stolen from water treatment site

Police are investigating the theft of metal from a water treatment site at Harlock reservoir overnight between Wednesday 29th February and Thursday 1st March.


The site is controlled by United Utilities and is located near to Marton in Ulverston.

Lead up to the value of £20,000 was removed from the roof of the draw tower which controls the reservoir. Police believe for this amount of metal to be carried away from the site, more than one person would need to have been there for a considerable length of time and would have used a vehicle for transportation.

Two vehicles have been seen in the area and Police would ask the driver/owners of a white Ford escort van and a Black Audi A3 to come forward to eliminate them from their enquiries or to see if they can give any further information.

Anyone with information about any suspicious persons or vehicles in the area over the last week should call Barrow Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

London Money Launderer ordered to repay more than £45k within one month or face longer jail term

A London man convicted for money laundering offences appeared in Carlisle Crown Court last week (Thursday 1 March) where he was ordered to repay thousands or face longer in jail.

During the Proceeds of Crime Act Hearing, 39 year old Micky Tanko was found to have benefited from his criminality to the tune of £528,677.75. The judge imposed a confiscation order for £45,296.39.

Tanko of Westminister Gardens, Barking, London, has 28 days to satisfy the order or he will be sent to prison for a period of up to 15 months in default.

His appearance in court follows an earlier investigation into an offence of deception committed against a Cumbria resident in 2004, where Tanko and others attempted to deceive him out of £42,000. For this he was imprisoned and a confiscation award made at Carlisle Crown Court. Following his release from prison he was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police using a false identity which had been used in the earlier deception. This led to the uncovering of bank accounts and monies obtained through money laundering. He was dealt with by Cumbria Police for the money laundering offences.

Tanko pleaded to five counts of Money Laundering on 18th July 2010 at Carlisle Crown Court. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 24 months.

A Proceeds of Crime Act investigation was then launched by Cumbria Constabulary.

Kate Needham, a financial investigator from Cumbria Constabulary said: “This investigation centred on the use of bank accounts by a convicted fraudster to further his criminality in false names but through financial investigation we uncovered that Tanko was the real owner of the accounts.
“Tanko has now been stripped of a substantial amount of cash that he had acquired illegally and if he fails to pay, he will lengthen his jail term.
“Crime doesn’t pay and police will continue to ensure that criminals are targeted and any financial gain they make as a result of their crimes is seized.”

Northwest Campaign Against Cannabis Cultivation

More than 5,120 cannabis factories containing an excess of 345,000 plants with an estimated potential street value of around £140 million have been discovered across the North West in the last three years.

In Cumbria, between 2009 and 2011, 1,818 cannabis plants were seized and 44 cannabis factories were discovered.

 There has been an increase in the number of cannabis factories across the region with a steady rise in the number of smaller cannabis farms, often in rental properties, which are linked to organised crime groups.

Officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (Titan), alongside the six regional police forces - Merseyside, GMP, Cheshire, Lancashire, North Wales and Cumbria - are launching a month-long operation today (Monday, March 5), to crack down on cannabis cultivation across the region.

During the month there will an increase in police activity, including a number of strike days, to raise awareness of the problem as well as to highlight the dangers of cannabis cultivation and urge members of the community who suspect cannabis is being grown in their neighbourhoods to call police.

Officers are also working with utility companies, garden centres, DIY stores, local authorities, fire services and the Royal Mail to help them to spot the signs that cannabis is being grown and the typical equipment being bought by criminals for cannabis cultivation.

Detective Superintendent John Lyons, from Titan, said: "Cannabis is not the harmless drug it is often perceived to be and is the most used illegal drug in the UK. An increasing number of people who grow cannabis are directly funding dangerous, organised criminal gangs. These gangs are often responsible for gun crime, violence and intimidation across the North West.
"Titan and the region's forces take the cultivation and supply of cannabis extremely seriously. Drugs and their associated activity cause misery to our communities and we act on all information we receive to disrupt and ultimately prevent those involved in the drugs trade from operating on our streets.
"The public of the North West are our eyes and ears and we appeal to anyone with any information about cannabis cultivation in their area to make contact during this month of action and beyond. We will act on all information provided to us to ensure that those involved in the cultivation of cannabis are brought to justice."

Some of the signs that cannabis is being grown are:

• Strange smells and sounds
• Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times
• Gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting
• Windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permenantly closed
• Heat from an adjoining property

Individually these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something more sinister.

Detective Superintendent Andy Slattery said: " We are seeing an increasing trend in Cumbria for Cannabis cultivation, which is the same across the whole of the North West
"There is a strong and distinctive smell to cannabis and I would urge any members of the public to contact us if they suspect it may be growing somewhere so we can help rid our communitues of this danger.
"People who grow cannabis have a total disregard for the safety of others, often endangering the lives of those in neighbouring properties and the local community by tampering with electricity supplies and leaving live electrical cables exposed increasing the risk of fire.
"Hazardous waste is often left inside properties or in nearby public spaces and premises can be structurally unsafe, which is a real concern in our streets.
"We urge anyone with any information about suspected cannabis farms in their area to call us so we can take action against the offenders."

Anyone with any information about cannabis cultivation is asked to call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
For 23 years the Crimestoppers charity has never revealed the identity of anyone who has given them information.

Police continue in their efforts to find Mark Westall

Police continue their efforts to find Mark Westall, with every avenue being explored to try and trace his whereabouts.

 44 year old Mark Westall, of North Lonsdale Road, Ulverston was last seen at 9.30 pm on Monday 23rd January 2012 on North Lonsdale Road in Ulverston.

Last week the North West Diving Team from Lancaster were in the Ulverston area, searching a stretch of water to the north of the railway line in an effort to try and trace anything which may lead to Mark's whereabouts.

Sergeant Chris O'Hare said: "We are utilising any opportunity and search method to try and find any trace of Mark's whereabouts. Our aim is to reunite him with his family and would urge Mark to get in contact to let us all know that he is ok.
“We have been advising members of the public and the local community that Mark's appearance may have changed and that he may have lost weight and could have grown a beard by now. However, one distinctive thing about Mark that will not change is his colourful tattoo on his left arm of a yellow and black spaceship. We continue to appeal to the community to be vigilant, keep Mark in mind and if you believe you’ve seen him anywhere, please contact us on 101 immediately.
“We remain in close contact with Mark’s family and are supporting them as best we can. Mark, if you are reading or listening to this, please contact your family to let them know you are safe. You are not in any trouble – your family are extremely worried about you and want to know that you are safe.”
Mark is described as white, 5' 6'' tall, and when he was last seen he was of a stocky build with dark brown, collar length wavy hair. He was last seen wearing an orange jacket and blue trousers, with a light coloured sweatshirt worn under his jacket.

If you think you have seen Mark or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact Ulverston police on 101 immediately.

Portuguese truck driver sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment

A Portuguese truck driver, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court on 24 February 2012 where he pleaded guilty to nine charges of forgery in May 2011 relating to the manipulation of his tachograph charts.

Carlos Antonio Martinc PINTO, aged 43, who drove for the Spanish haulage company Transportes Pepe El Correcaminos, from Murcia in South East Spain, was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment on each charge (to run concurrent) and was disqualified from driving in the UK for 12 months. He has been on remand since his arrest at the end of January 2012 and will serve the rest of his sentence prior to release.

Mr Pinto was initially stopped by VOSA officers in Kent in June 2011 where his charts were seized. These were passed to Cumbria Police as part of the ongoing Operation Oasby which is a joint VOSA and Cumbria Police operation investigating the Spanish haulage company. Following analysis of the charts observations were circulated and on the 23rd January 2012 Mr Pinto was stopped and arrested on the A1 in North Yorkshire buy North Yorkshire Police. Mr Pinto’s Scania 164 tractor unit was seized and examined along with other documentation.


Vehicle driven by Mr Pinto, seized by
Cumbria Police
and awaiting confiscation hearing at
Carlisle Crown Court


Mr Pinto pleaded guilty to the offences at first hearing at Carlisle Magistrates Court and was committed to Carlisle Crown Court for sentence.

Two previous cases heard at Carlisle Crown Court in October 2011 and January 2012 saw two colleagues of Pinto, Lopes Mello and Mohammed Issiali jailed for 6 months on each of a number of counts of making a false instruments, namely tachograph charts.

At the sentence of Mr Pinto, the Judge said: “Forging such documents or interfering in the recording devices allows drivers to use vehicles in excess of what is allowed by law…..whilst there was no report of improper driving by him it is only right to recognise and acknowledge that other drivers who commit such offences cannot claim never to have been involved in accidents which have had serious consequences. The sentence is there not only to punish but to send a clear message and therefore an immediate custodial sentence is called for.”

Sergeant Graeme Hodgson from the Road Policing Unit led the investigation for Cumbria Constabulary. “PCs Ivison and McKeown, together with colleagues from VOSA, have acted on the intelligence received on this Spanish company and have removed drivers and vehicles from the road.
“Those drivers and vehicles were putting members of the public at risk, not only by their own actions, but also by placing unfair competitive pressure on legitimate hauliers. We will continue to work closely with VOSA to ensure that dishonest operators are removed from the road and that company directors are brought to court as well as the drivers.”
“A confiscation order has been applied for in relation to the vehicles driven by Mr Pinto and Mr Lopes Mello at the time of his being stopped and HH Judge Batty QC has ordered that the company represent themselves at a forthcoming hearing.
“Cumbria Constabulary and VOSA continue to target hauliers who deliberately flout the law and have a number of other investigations currently under way with other individuals awaiting court.”

A tribute to Joseph Took who sadly died yesterday

On Sunday 26th February, at approximately 02.50hrs, on Abbey Road, Barrow, a fatal road traffic collision occurred and tragically a 18 year old man died.


Joseph Took, from Walney, Barrow, was riding his motorcycle, a blue Yamaha 125cc, when he was involved in a road traffic collision, no other vehicles were involved. He was conveyed to Furness General hospital, but sadly and despite the best efforts of the medical staff, died a short time later owing to the injuries he sustained.

His family said: "Joseph was an angel; he was a wonderful son, brother and friend and was one of the kindest people you could ever meet. He was loved deeply by his family and words can not express how we feel at this moment.”

Police are continuing to investigate the incident, anyone with information should call PC 1618 Marc Holmes of Kendal Roads Policing Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Barrow drug dealer ordered to repay more than £18k within one month or face longer jail term

A Barrow man convicted for drugs offences appeared in Preston Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 21 February) where he was ordered to repay thousands or face longer in jail.

During the Proceeds of Crime Act Hearing, 49 year old Wayne Peter Moffatt was found to have benefited from his criminality to the tune of £22,622.52. The judge imposed a confiscation order for £2,680 and made a compensation order for £16,000 to be paid back to HMRC.

Moffatt, formally of Barrow and now of Ireleth Court Road, Ireleth, has 28 days to satisfy the order or he will be sent to prison for a period of up to 28 days in default.

His appearance in court follows an investigation into drugs supply in Barrow. On Friday 28th May 2010, Barrow police attended a pet shop owned by Moffatt on Duke Street, Barrow and executed a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act. As a result, various controlled drugs and associated drugs paraphernalia were recovered along with £2,680 cash found on Moffatt’s person. Police then carried out a search of Moffatt’s home address and located in a safe was a further £16,000 cash and controlled drugs.

Moffatt was then charged with Possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, Supply of Class B drugs between 16th April to 25th May 2010 and Possession of Class C drugs. On Monday 3rd May 2011 he appeared at Lancaster Crown court and pleaded guilty to counts of possession of a class B and class C controlled drugs and possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply. On Monday 6th June 2011 Moffatt appeared at Lancaster Crown court where he was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment suspended for 24 months.

A Proceeds of Crime Act investigation was then launched by Cumbria Constabulary.

Dc Nick Doherty, a financial investigator from Cumbria Constabulary said: “This investigation initially centred on the drug dealing activities of Moffatt but through financial investigation we uncovered that he was also in receipt of tax credits. These are payments from the government directed at people who are responsible for at least one child or young person, who may be in work, but are on a low income.
“Through close liaison with HMRC, it transpired that Moffatt had not only falsely claimed tax credits but also failed to make any taxable returns on his income from his pet shop for a considerable period of time.
“In these tough economic times it is only right that people who abuse the public purse and the benefits system are brought to account for their actions. Moffatt has now been stripped of a substantial amount of cash that he had acquired illegally and if he fails to pay, he will lengthen his jail term.
“Crime doesn’t pay and police will continue to work very closely with partner agencies to ensure that criminals are targeted and any financial gain they make as a result of their crimes is seized.”

Anyone with information about drug related crime in their area can ring Cumbria Police on 101.

If you would like to report drug related crime but do not want to say who you are then please ring the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.  For 23 years they have never revealed the identity of anyone who has given them information.

Barrow's Age Concern looks for Volunteers

Over the years Age Concern volunteers have made life easier for people who are lonely and isolated. There are a number of different ways in which you can give your time and become involved.

We are particularly keen to talk to people who could spare a couple of hours a week helping with Community Support. This is a short term service which helps to build confidence and stops people feeling socially isolated. You would be supporting people who have been bereaved or had a stay in hospital who need a little help getting back on their feet.

We are also looking for people who can become involved in delivering a variety of activities in Local Residential Homes. The activities include crafts, poetry reading, reminiscing, playing games and gardening. You will be given training on how to be an activities buddy.

Building bridges is a project that values the contribution of older people who have time to spare with young people aged 5-18 in a range of settings. These include reading and craft with primary school children.

Perhaps you are a handy person who can do odd jobs like fitting grab rails and fitting key safes. You may also make minor repairs and do odd DIY jobs. This role obviously involves going into people's homes.

If this is something you would like to take part in we would love to hear from you.


For more information please contact Helen on 01229 831425

Police re-appeal for help to trace missing Mark almost one month on

Police are renewing their appeal for help from the public to trace Mark Westall who went missing from his home in Ulverston almost one month ago.

Mark Westall

44 year old Mark Westall, of North Lonsdale Road, Ulverston was last seen at 9.30pm on Monday 23rd January 2012 on North Lonsdale Road in Ulverston.

Since then, officers have launched large scale searches and this weekend, a West Midlands police dog team (one handler and one dog) specially trained in following the scent of human skin follicles travelled to Cumbria to assist the Mountain Rescue Team. Together they retraced the area around Mark’s home on North Lonsdale Rd and searched the disused railway line which runs from Ulverston canal towards Plumpton but, unfortunately, Mark still hasn’t been found.

Police officers and Mark’s family remain dedicated to raising awareness of his disappearance within the local community but, as time goes on, his appearance may have changed so they are urging local people to be vigilant and report any potential sightings of him to police.

PC Steve Johnston said: “Alongside Mark’s family, we have been distributing posters within the community to raise awareness of Mark’s disappearance but with the amount of time that has passed, we are aware that his appearance may have changed.
“We know that Mark left home without his medication and, if he hasn’t managed to pick up medication from elsewhere, it is likely that he will have experienced a common side effect and lost quite a lot of weight. It is also possible that he has grown a beard by now.
“Despite searching for almost a month and receiving various calls with information from members of the public, we have not been able to confirm a positive sighting of Mark so we don’t know what his appearance is now like. One distinctive thing about Mark that will not change is his colourful tattoo on his left arm of a yellow and black spaceship.

“Our searches to date have involved more than six different agencies including Mountain Rescue Teams, Inshore Rescue, Specialist dog handlers and the underwater dive team with more than 60 specialist personnel involved. Our search for Mark will not be over until we can reunite him with his family and we are re-appealing to the community to be vigilant, keep Mark in mind and if you believe you’ve seen him anywhere, please contact us on 101 immediately.
“We remain in close contact with Mark’s family and are supporting them as best we can. Mark, if you are reading or listening to this, please contact your family to let them know you are safe. You are not in any trouble – your family are extremely worried about you and want to know that you are safe.”
Mark is described as white, 5' 6'' tall, and when he was last seen he was of a stocky build with dark brown, collar length wavy hair. He was last seen wearing an orange jacket and blue trousers, with a light coloured sweatshirt worn under his jacket.

If you think you have seen Mark or have any information about his whereabouts, please contact Ulverston police on 101 immediately.

You can also give information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police reappeal for info that will help them locate Barrow man who has been recalled to prison

Mr Wyatt has now been located by police.
27th February 2012
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Police are again appealing for information to help them find Kevin Anthony Wyatt, 27, from Barrow, as he has been recalled to prison.



Wyatt failed to return to the Carlisle hostel he was living in while he was on license from prison.

Police believe he may still be in the Furness area.

Anybody who knows of Wyatt's whereabouts, or who has seen a man fitting his description, is asked to call Barrow CID on 101.

You can also give information anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity by ringing 0800 555 111.  For 23 years Crimestoppers has never revealed the identity of anyone who has provided them with information.