The Manchester Evening News has looked back on those starting lengthy terms behind bars this week
L-R: Lewis Orrell, Matthew Webb and Jordan Winstanley
A violent mugger who targeted a woman as she was struggling with her umbrella in the rain is among those who have been locked up this week.
Lewis Orrell was jailed for more than three years for the ‘ugly and mean’ crime.
Also behind bars this week is predator Matthew Webb who raped a girl in a campaign of sexual abuse, and cocky dealer Jordan Winstanley who boasted he would never be caught.
Prison terms are handed out to the worst offenders. Manchester Evening News court reporters are on hand to cover the most serious cases.
Here is a round up of some of those who have been jailed this week in our region:
Lewis Orrell
Lewis Orrell(Image: GMP)
A woman was left bloodied and bruised after being ‘dragged’ down the street during a mugging. Lewis Orrell targeted the 59-year-old as she made her way home in Ashton-under-Lyne. He committed the ‘ugly and mean’ crime in order to feed his drug habit.
The victim was left with injuries requiring hospital treatment and has also been left mentally scared. Orrell, 37, has been jailed after admitting robbery.
Prosecuting, Lisa Boocock said the woman had finished work and was walking through Ashton-under-Lyne town centre on her way to catch the bus home, at around 4.20pm.
It was raining and the woman was struggling with her umbrella. Orrell lived nearby and ‘took his opportunity to rob’ the victim, who was said to have been ‘distracted’ by the umbrella.
“She is fearful of going out, she has had to have time off work, she is having counselling as a result of the actions you perpetrated on this day,” the judge, Recorder Paul Hodgkinson told Orrell.
Orrell, of Rowley Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. He was sentenced to three years and four months.
Read the full story here: Thug who wrote his victim a letter saying sorry told she doesn’t want to hear it
Jordan Winstanley and Carl Allan
Jordan Winstanley (01/04/1995) of Thorn View, Bury, was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to four counts of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.(Image: GMP)
A cocky drug dealer who boasted to police officers that he would never be caught has landed himself in prison alongside his associate.
The investigation was commenced into a drugs line in the Bury area which was being operated and ran by Jordan Winstanley. He used street couriers to deliver cocaine and cannabis to customers across the borough, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Police revealed how associate Carl Allan was one of the couriers who distributed the drugs.
(Image: GMP)
Jordan Winstanley, 30, of Thorn View, Bury, was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to four counts of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.
Carl Allan, 47, of Parsonage Street, Bury, was jailed for two years and three months after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.
Read the full story here: He boasted ‘you’ll never catch me’, and lasted two weeks
Ben Atherton
Ben Atherton, 29, of Edgerton Road, Lowton(Image: GMP)
A drugs gang kingpin subject to a covert police operation was brought down after he showed off with cash and ‘cocaine’ in incriminating videos.
Police say Ben Atherton was found to be running a ‘dedicated drugs line’ – sending bulk text messages advertising heroin and crack cocaine to a ‘wide network of users’.
His gang was found to be exploiting vulnerable people to act as drug runners, store cash and distribute narcotics across Greater Manchester.
Atherton, of Edgerton Road, Lowton, was charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and remanded in custody.
He pleaded guilty to the charges on July 14 and was sentenced to nine years in prison at Bolton Crown Court last Friday
Read the full story here: Police knew something about him – the videos on his phone proved it
Matthew Webb
(Image: GMP)
A ‘disgusting predator’ raped a young girl in a campaign of sexual abuse lasting years. Matthew Webb’s horrific crimes came to light after his victim came forward with the support of a family member.
She told police she had been raped by a man. An investigation was launched, with the child revealing she had been abused by Webb over a number of years.
On several occasions, Webb raped and sexually assaulted her, a court heard.
Following a week-long trial at Minshull Street Crown Court, Webb was found guilty by jury on one count of rape of a girl under the age of 13; one count of rape of a girl under 16 on no fewer than five occasions; three counts of rape of a girl under the age of 16; two counts of sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13 by touching; and three counts of making indecent images of a child.
He was sentenced to 28 years and ordered to sign the sex offender register indefinitely.
Read the full story here: A ‘disgusting predator’ finally behind bars
Stuart James
Stuart James(Image: GMP)
An old café was transformed into a drugs lab by ‘serious, organised crime’.
Police got more than they bargained for after they traced a package containing class A drugs to a flat in Sale. Stuart James lived in the address, where detectives discovered more than 17,000 ecstasy (MDMA) tablets.
The police then found that James had taken out a lease for a commercial property in Mitford Street, Stretford, which was once used as a cafe. They learnt the building was being used as a factory to create the tablets.
A third location, a storage unit in Failsworth, was where machinery used in the production process was stored. Now James, 45, has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years.
Read the full story here: Police got more than they bargained for after they traced a package to a flat