A plot to pass books wrapped in brown tape off as kilogram blocks of cocaine led to a man being shot in the leg
A CCTV still of Charles Byers attaching a silencer to a firearm(Image: CPS)
An “elaborate ruse” which led to a man being shot in the leg was rumbled after one of the key players in the plot was caught on camera attaching a silencer to a gun. Charles Byers attempted to pass off books wrapped in brown tape as kilogram blocks of cocaine, handing the supposed drugs over in a Spider-Man rucksack down an alleyway in Wallasey, Wirral.
This enabled him and a second man to walk away with the buyers’ cash after shooting one of their number in the leg. But a CCTV clip which caught him red-handed with the firearm which was used in the robbery ultimately led him, his girlfriend Emma Edwards and another conspirator, Andrew Struth, to prison.
Liverpool Crown Court heard this week that a man named David Sumner, whose current whereabouts are unknown, “made representations that he could supply kilograms of class A drugs” to an associate, Negus Nelson, during phone contact on June 29 this year. This led to them making arrangements for a “transaction” to take place in an alley off Shakespeare Road the same evening.
Stephen McNally, prosecuting, described how Nelson and his brother Zion Nelson travelled from Sheffield to Merseyside in a Volkswagen Golf, with their associate, Stuart Cook, driving from South Yorkshire separately in a Volkswagen Passat. He apparently couriered the cash to be used to purchase two kilograms of cocaine. Byers, Edwards and Struth meanwhile set about creating “dummy packages” which they would later attempt to pass off as the drugs.
This involved the latter purchasing rolls of brown parcel tape and two hardback books from a convenience store. Edwards was meanwhile seen driving her partner to and from their home on Poulton Road in Seacombe throughout the evening, enabling him to collect a stolen Nissan Novara which he would later drive to the scene of the shooting.
Struth also purchased a jerry can full of petrol from a garage using Edwards’ bank card at around 10pm before returning to the same address. Byers and Sumner would then arrive at the meeting place at around 11pm, being seen at the entrance to the alleyway in possession of a red Spider-Man branded rucksack.
With the Sheffield group having reached the same location shortly after 11.15pm, all parties were seen entering the alley together. Around two minutes later, Byers and Sumner were spotted running away again in possession of a bag which Cook had earlier been carrying.
Charles Byers, of Poulton Road in Seacombe, Wirral, aged 37(Image: Merseyside Police)
The apparent money man meanwhile collapsed on nearby Lucerne Road after suffering a gunshot wound to his right leg, later undergoing surgery after suffering a fractured shinbone. Negus Nelson was meanwhile arrested on foot near to the entrance to the Wallasey Tunnel within minutes with the Spider-Man bag, in which the fake parcels were discovered.
Byers would arrive home in a taxi at around 11.30pm before quickly leaving again in Edwards’ BMW. The two then collected the Nissan Navara and travelled to the area of Poulton Victoria Football Club, where the stolen vehicle was torched.
Enquiries by Merseyside Police later revealed CCTV footage of Byers earlier leaving the rear of his home at around 10.45pm while in the process of attaching a silencer to the firearm. The same cameras later captured him, Edwards and Struth setting fire to items of clothing in an oil drum within their back yard.
The following morning, Byers was recorded speaking on the phone to Sumner while apparently referring to the stolen car being torched, telling him “something’s gone boof”. The 37-year-old has a total of 25 convictions for 46 offences but no previous spells in prison.
Steven Swift, defending, said on his behalf: “He was one of six siblings, moving from Glasgow to Birkenhead at around the age of 10. His difficult early years of development were marked by neglect, abuse and a complete lack of parental nurturing.
“Once they moved to Merseyside, the defendant was then sent away to boarding school in the Lake District until 16 years of age. His employment has been fragmented over the years, largely house removals on a self employed basis, trying to make a life for himself but drifting, influenced negatively by others.
“The stability in his life has come from his association with Emma Edwards, who he recognises he has drawn into this offending. He takes responsibility, as far as he is able to, for the influence that he exerted over her.”
Edwards has no previous convictions. The 35-year-old’s counsel Lloyd Morgan told the court: “Tragic might not be too strong a word to describe the presence of Ms Edwards in the dock. She might not be there but for the relationship that she was in. She was acting on the direction and at the behest of Mr Byers.
Emma Edwards, of Poulton Road in Seacombe, Wirral, aged 35(Image: Merseyside Police)
“In my submission, she has demonstrated genuine remorse. References all speak, perhaps, of a completely different Emma Edwards to the one that is about to face a lengthy prison sentence. She has been a loyal and good friend, engaged in voluntary work and employed with a well known charity, all things which perhaps make one question why she is in the dock.
“She has made positive and significant changes since she has been in prison. She has undertaken courses and work to equip her when she is released from prison. There is evidence that she really is putting her time in prison to good use. The court can come to the conclusion that this is the last it will see of Emma Edwards.
Struth, of Ashville Road in Poulton, has a total of 28 convictions for 51 offences. The 41-year-old’s barrister Andrew McInnes added: “References speak of his manner, polite and eager to help others, but also of his vulnerabilities. Perhaps because of his difficulties, he is susceptible to manipulation and likely to comply with others in a more domineering position.
“In terms of hierarchy, it would seem that he is at the bottom. Whilst he did not know that there was a firearm, there are certainly elements of serious harm being caused and intended. He is remorseful. He regrets his involvement. There are perhaps reasons why he has gone along with this, rather than being a main player.”
Byers admitted possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to commit robbery. Wearing a blue Berghaus fleece and sporting a shaved head in the dock, he was jailed for 13 years and nine months on Wednesday.
Edwards pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery. Appearing in a black New Balance coat, she was handed five years and 10 months behind bars.
Struth also admitted conspiracy to commit robbery. Wearing a grey Under Armour tracksuit top and glasses, he was imprisoned for three years and nine months.
Andrew Struth, of Ashville Road in Poulton, Wirral, aged 41(Image: Merseyside Police)
Sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall said: “This was an elaborate ruse. You had no intention of supplying any drugs. You lured the men to Merseyside, bringing with them a very large quantity of cash. Once the arrangements were in place, the three of you, together with David Sumner, made all of the necessary preparations.”
The judge told Byers: “The presence of the sound moderator was clear evidence of your intent to use the firearm, rather than simply threaten with it. Those from Sheffield attended and walked with you into an alleyway.
“Within seconds, the firearm was discharged, causing a gunshot wound to Stuart Cook’s leg. You stole the cash that they had brought to the meeting. Although it is not possible to be certain which of you discharged the firearm, it matters not. This was a joint plan and you were both acting together.
“You suffered a traumatic childhood, marked by abuse and neglect. You received little education. Since being on remand, you have achieved enhanced status in prison.”
Turning to Edwards, Judge Woodhall said: “I have read references. They describe you as caring, thoughtful, kind hearted, hard working and dependable. You have expressed remorse and appear determined to make changes. I hope that is true.
“This was an elaborate plan, involving the sale of a high value commodity. It was undoubtedly a professionally planned commercial robbery. Stuart Cook was shot and left in an alleyway at night.
“Here, there were two kilogram packages of what clearly were intended to represent class A drugs. It is common knowledge within these courts that that means there was a value of £40,000 and upwards for that type of transaction.”
Merseyside Police have meanwhile confirmed that two men from Sheffield, aged 34 and 36, who were earlier arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences in connection with the incident have been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
Detective Inspector Chris Clark, from the force’s firearms investigation team, said following the sentencing: “Our work to remove guns and those who choose to use them from the streets of Merseyside remains ongoing.
“Clearly, the reckless actions of these individuals could have had much more serious or even fatal consequences, and it is right that they are now all behind bars where they belong.”