Jamie Rothwell faces a lengthy jail sentenceJamie Rothwell

A drug dealer who worked with Salford gang boss Jamie Rothwell became embroiled in crime after his life ‘spiralled’, a court heard.

Rothwell, 38, faces a lengthy jail sentence after admitting a string of drug and gun offences. Nine other men have appeared in court alongside the gangster, who was a leading light in the feud between warring factions in the city between 2014 and 2019.

He was shot in a car wash and later acquitted of conspiracy to murder as a row between the A-Team and the Anti A-Team exploded. Rothwell is now due to face justice after ordering a shooting from Spain, and for his involvement in industrial scale cocaine dealing.

His crimes were revealed after European law enforcement infiltrated the EncroChat communications network, which was used by criminals who believed it was impenetrable.

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They spoke in unguarded terms about their crimes, and their messages proved a treasure trove of evidence for police across the continent. On the second day of a sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court, speeches were made by defence barristers in the case.

Rothwell’s barrister is expected to address the judge tomorrow (Weds). Also being sentenced are Andrew Ackers, Scott Davies, Craig Makinson, John Moore, James Close, Callum Morris, Zak Rourke, Terence McDonagh and John Stankus. Zak Rourke was a drug dealer who worked with Rothwell.

Michael Lavery, Rourke’s barrister, argued that the defendant was a ‘conduit’ between ‘people at the top’, including Rothwell, and couriers lower in the chain.

Rourke, 35, had no previous convictions and has previously worked as a rigger, the court was told. He spent long periods away from home and when back would ‘often party hard’ which led his relationship to breakdown, Mr Lavery said.

Jamie Rothwell(Image: NCA)

His life ‘spiralled down’ and coupled with financial difficulties during Covid he ‘reacted in a stupid way’ and became involved in crime, the court heard.

Alan Kent KC, for James Close, said that he ‘accepts and acknowledges that he [Close] was convicted of extremely serious offending’.

Mr Kent said Close was involved in the ‘acquisition’ of an AK47 but ‘never actually physically possessed’ the firearm. He argued that there is ‘no evidence that Mr Close presents a significant risk of serious harm to the public’, noting he has made ‘significant progress’ in prison during his five years on remand.

Defending Stankus, Richard Vardon claimed that Stankus had a ‘low level role’, allowing drug dealers ‘free reign’ at his home ‘for a relatively short period’ to adulterate cocaine.

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Mr Vardon said that Stankus has suffered ‘significant medical problems’, and quoted the pre-sentence report which stated he was ‘likely taken advantage of’. Mr Vardon, who also represented Terence McDonagh, said the defendant was well provided for as a child but became ‘involved with drugs at a relatively early age’. He said this explained how McDonagh has now ended up in court on ‘such serious matters’.

Mr Vardon said: “The defendant over the last five years has matured, he is a very different man than he was.” Tom Watson said Andrew Ackers has ‘reflected and made changes’. “He was a hard working man, he does not make excuses about his involvement in these matters,” Mr Watson said.

“It’s against a background of him losing employment and being under financial pressure. He accepts that cannot ever amount to any form of excuse. What he got involved in was extremely serious. He must pay the price for that.”

Mr Watson said that Ackers has a ‘background in the Army’ including ‘tours in Afghanistan’. Paul Becker said that John Moore, a father-of-four, became involved after suffering financial difficulties during Covid. He said Moore otherwise has a ‘good work record’.

  • Jamie Rothwell, 38, of Grindon Avenue, Salford, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life; one count of conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A, namely cocaine; two counts of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and a single count of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B, namely ketamine.
  • Andrew Ackers, 39, of Benjamin Road, Wigan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to possess criminal property.
  • Scott Davies, 36, of Courier Place, Wigan, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and cocaine.
  • Craig Makinson, 50, of Springpool, Winstanley, was charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life/enable another to do so; conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug – heroin; conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug – cocaine; conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug – amphetamine; and conspiracy to conceal / disguise / convert / transfer / remove criminal property.
  • John Moore, 38, of Kendal Drive, was found guilty of conspiring to possess criminal property and pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
  • James Close, 44, of Henry Street, Leigh, was found guilty to conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply cocaine; and conspiracy to possess criminal property.
  • Callum Morris, 33, of Carr Bank Crescent, Atherton, was found guilty of conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply cocaine; and conspiracy to possess criminal property
  • Terence McDonagh, 34, of Thorncroft Avenue, Astley, was found guilty of conspiring to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
  • Zak Rourke, 35, of Deakins Mill Way Egerton, Bolton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply cocaine and ketamine and conspiracy to possess criminal property.
  • John Stankus, 70, of Wigan Street, Platt Bridge, Wigan, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine.