THE fourth and final member of a Newcastle crime family who plotted a revenge shooting has been convicted and jailed.

In March this year, Thomas Tams and his two daughters Kerry and Charlotte were jailed for more than 15 years after the relative of a rival was shot in the leg in Elswick.

The incident was the result of a bitter feud between Kenneth Thompson and Leon Haq, which had seen the latter request the help of the Tams and associate Barry Lynn.

After Thompson fired shots at a car belonging to the Tams, a plot was hatched to get back at him, culminating in the Bentick Road shooting.

The final member of the Tams’ organised crime group has now been sentenced for her role.

Thomas’s ex-partner, Mary Egan,48, had always denied her role in the conspiracy, but was today (Thursday) found guilty and jailed for more than four years after an eight-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

It was alleged the 48-year-old had tried to cover up the attack which happened on August 7, 2019, by disposing of the weapon however Egan denied this and the weapon was never recovered.

Her conviction ends criminal proceedings which had already seen six people jailed for more than 40 years following a complex investigation launched by Northumbria Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET).

Speaking after the trial, senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Ed Small, said: “I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no place whatsoever for this type of behaviour and it will not be tolerated.

“Today’s conviction and sentencing marks the end of a complex investigation and I want to thank all members of the public, officers, crime scene investigators and digital experts who have helped us piece together what happened on the evening of these shootings.

“Every single person involved in this case has now been brought before the courts and held responsible for their truly appalling actions.

“We will continue to tackle organised crime in all its forms under the banner of Operation Sentinel and help ensure the area remains one of the safest in the country to live, work and visit.”

 

Criminal gang involved in Newcastle shooting

Criminal gang involved in Newcastle shooting

 

Egan, of Hawthorn Walk, Elswick, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail.

Previously, Thomas Tams, 61, of Bishop’s Road, Benwell, was jailed for six-and-a-half years. His daughter Kerry, 27, of Hawthorn Walk was jailed for six years and her sister Charlotte, 21, of Silvermere Drive in Ryton, was jailed for three years. All were found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Both Leon Haq, 40, and Barry Lynn, 41, initially denied the same charge and a section 20 assault before changing their pleas to guilty during their trials.

Haq, of Newbold Street, Byker, also admitted two counts of making threats to kill and was jailed for 10 years. Lynn, of Colby Court, Benwell, was jailed for nine years.

Kenneth Thompson, 47, of Bentinck Street, Elswick, was jailed for six years after he admitted possession of a loaded firearm in a public place and criminal damage.

 

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