Richard Mellor “knew his time was up” after being identified by his handle ‘Wonky Kite’
Richard Mellor(Image: Merseyside Police)
A grandad has been locked up for nearly 15 years following his arrest in Spain. Richard Mellor “knew his time was up and tried to hide” on the continent after being identified as the user of the EncroChat handle “Wonky Kite”.
Meticulous ledgers which the drug deal “broker” had kept stored on his device laid bare to detectives his involvement in the supply of millions of pounds of heroin and cocaine via the encrypted communications platform. The dad-of-three and volunteer football and boxing coach is now said to be a “model prisoner” after being returned to the UK in order to face up to his crimes.
Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Friday, that Mellor, formerly of Acrefield Road in Woolton, had “regular dealings” in “organising and directing the supply” of 48.5kg of cocaine and 21.5kg of heroin, figures which he himself had documented in notes stored on his device, before the network was infiltrated by French police in 2020.
He was ultimately linked to the “WonkyKite” handle after introducing himself to other users as “Richie” and having stored his partner’s phone number under the name “Bird” on his contact list. Alex Langhorn, prosecuting, described how the 44-year-old was subsequently arrested in Spain on August 25 last year, spending 184 in custody abroad before being extradited back to the UK in order to face proceedings. Mellor has no previous convictions.
Nigel Power KC, defending, told the court: “Although large amounts of money were being spoken about, this defendant’s likely benefit per kilo was somewhere between £500 and £1,000, and more commonly at the lower end. He has three children, a daughter aged 20, a son aged 19 and a daughter aged seven, and, just recently, a young grandchild.”
Referencing a grey polo shirt Mellor, who was said to have worked as a “broker” with a “relatively modest geographical scope”, was seen wearing while appearing via video link from prison, Mr Power added: “He wears on his upper half today a liveried uniform from the prison. I asked him what it says on the embroidery. He is a health and wellbeing mentor, which speaks volumes as to his approach generally since his arrest.
“There is a letter from Natalie Roberts, who speaks to his abilities as a father and grandfather and describes a traumatic incident as a younger man. Kevin Hill describes him as a loyal friend. He has helped with local football and boxing initiatives.”
Mellor admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and was jailed for a total of 14 years and 18 months. Sentencing, Judge David Potter said: “The misuse of cocaine, heroin and other drugs causes devastation to people who take them and to the families who try their best to support them.
“Heroin and crack cocaine blight the communities in which addicts live and dealers operate. It fuels crime, with addicts often becoming dealers in order to fund their habits. Violence is endemic in this trade. The victims of your conduct include your own family, who will be without your support for a very considerable period of time.
“You played a leading role, albeit as a commodities broker making profits of £500 to £1,000 per kilo of drugs supplied. You kept a distance, but you were involved in directing, buying and selling on a commercial scale with substantial links to others, upstream and downstream.
“It is substantially mitigated by your previous good character. References clearly show the other side to your character, including your devotion to your children and the volunteer work you have done in the community.
“You yourself have suffered tragedy, having suffered an accident and been left unable to work. I am sure that your remorse is genuine and, since you have returned to the United Kingdom, you have been a model prisoner.”
Merseyside Police’s Detective Sergeant Craig Doyle said following the hearing: “He knew his time was up and tried to hide in Spain. Mellor’s criminal activity to conspire to flood the streets with millions of pounds worth of class A drugs was prolific.
“Our work continues to detect and arrest those involved in the sale and distribution of controlled drugs. I hope it send a strong message to perpetrators that we are taking action and we will bring them to justice no matter where you hide.
“Crime doesn’t pay. We’ll continue to be relentless in our pursuit of offenders. I would ask anyone who has any information about who is supplying or selling drugs in their area to contact us so we can take action.”