'Untouchable' traveller gang behind violent robberies, drug deals and ATM thefts jailed for total of 35 years
AN "untouchable" traveller gang behind violent robberies, drug deals and ATM thefts has been jailed for a total of 35 years.
The brazen criminals conducted a reign of terror in South Yorkshire, funding their criminal activities through producing vast amounts of heroin in residential homes.
11
Yesterday at Sheffield Crown Court the "violent and unpredictable" gang was finally brought to justice after cops uncovered "multiple kilogrammes" of the Class A drug.
They also unearthed a host of weapons including an Uzi-style machine gun, two revolvers, two semi-automatic guns and ammunition - many of these at a travellers' site in Doncaster.
Around £115,000 in cash was also seized from another travellers' site in Amthorpe.
The gang's activities - which included firearms discharges and violent knife attacks - came to light after cops carried out targeted work around organised crime in the area.
11
11
11
11
11
Through Operation Railbird police then made a series of arrests between January and October 2016 after seizing drugs and 100 bladed weapons including machetes.
Detective Inspector Lee Fletcher said: "The behaviour of this group was incredibly dangerous and linked to feuding with a rival organised crime group.
"But the escalation of violence experienced in late 2015 posed a significant risk for serious harm and even death within local communities."
Eight defendants admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, namely heroin.
Tommy Lee Smith, 38, of Doncaster was jailed for 12 years.
11
11
11
11
11
Stacey Jane Bowman, 37, of Hennessey Court, Doncaster was jailed for six years.
Jack Daniel Pye, 27, of Doncaster was jailed for four years.
Lee Thomas Hodgkinson, 41, of Ingham Road, Doncaster was jailed for two years and eight months.
Yogi Winsper, 22, of Blackpool, Lancs., was jailed for two years and eight months.
Jonathan James McAvoy, 38, of Doncaster, was jailed for five years.
MOST READ NEWS
Michael Scholey, 42, of Doncaster, was given a two-year suspended sentence.
Jacqueline Joan Williams, 39, of Doncaster, was given a two-year suspended sentence.
Jonathan Stray, 40, of Doncaster, admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis and was jailed for two years.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
