Police hope the lengthy life sentences handed to four ammonia attack killers today (Friday July 26) may help to bring some “closure” and “comfort” to the family of their victim.
The senior investigating officer of the Northumbria Police team which helped to bring Andy Foster’s killers to justice said the convicted quartet, gang leader Youssef Wynne, right-hand man Kenneth Fawcett, his assistant John Wandless and fellow plotter Josh Hawthorn, “acted together to intimidate and cause serious injury to their intended targets”.
Detective Inspector Tam Fowler was speaking after the quartet received life sentences, with a minimum combined total of 118 years, at Newcastle Crown Court.
They were responsible for a spate of ammonia attacks intended to “tax” and “intimidate” rival drug sellers in South Tyneside and Gateshead.
Three such attacks with the corrosive liquid were carried out in the 11 days before the fatal incident, at the home of 26-year-old Mr Foster, in Eighton Terrace, Wrekenton, Gateshead, late on Sunday, August 20.
He answered his door to Fawcett and Wandless who sprayed him in the face with ammonia, before stealing from him and leaving.
Emergency services were swiftly deployed to the scene, with asthma-sufferer Mr Foster being rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries, struggling to breathe.
Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, he was declared dead a short time later after suffering a fatal cardiac arrest as an after-effect of the spray attack.
An investigation into his death was immediately launched by the Northumbria force, which soon led a team of detectives piecing together a series of connected incidents from previous days.
Extensive CCTV, house-to-house and telecoms inquiries revealed a group were linked to three similar corrosive substance attacks, between August 9 and 16.
The crime spree saw Fawcett carry out planned ‘drug taxings’ at properties in Hebburn, Jarrow and South Shields, aided by Wandless in the latter two.
Their trail of destruction left their victims in fear and requiring medical treatment, as well as causing a young woman who was not an intended target to lose her eye.
Officers identified Wynne as the ringleader and his associate Hawthorn helped to orchestrate the assaults in a bid to intimidate their rival drug dealers and steal their supply.
A stolen grey VW Golf which had been used by Fawcett and Wandless in three of the incidents was later found burned out, in Wallsend, on August 22, after the news of Mr Foster’s death was made public.
The four suspects were later arrested and charged in connection with the investigation, including Mr Foster’s murder.
While Fawcett, Hawthorn, Wandless and Wynne continually denied the charges put to them, they were found guilty by jurors following a five-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, on June 13.
The quartet today returned to the same court where they were sentenced by trial judge, Mr Justice Ian Dove, for their crimes.
Wynne, 40, of Wuppertal Court, Jarrow, was jailed for life with a minimum of 33 years for murder, robbery, assault causing actual bodily harm, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and two counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
Fawcett, 33, of Balkwell Avenue, North Shields was jailed for life with a minimum of 32 years for murder, robbery, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and two counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
Wandless, 33, of no fixed abode, was jailed for life with a minimum of 31 years for murder, robbery, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and two counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.
He previously admitted handling a stolen VW Golf and arson for destroying the car.
Hawthorn, 22, of Ashfield, Jarrow, was jailed for life with a minimum of 22 years for murder and robbery.
Speaking after today’s sentencing hearing, Det Insp Fowler, said: “As ever, our thoughts remain with Andrew’s loved ones, as well as with the other victims involved in these reckless attacks.
“This was a truly shocking spate which saw Fawcett, Hawthorn, Wandless and Wynne act together to intimidate and cause serious harm to their intended targets.
“Not only that, but they’ve continued to deny their involvement, without showing a hint of remorse for their victims throughout the investigation.
“This meant that Andrew’s family, and the survivors from the other attacks, had to sit through a lengthy trial at court, causing them further pain and upset.
Det Insp Fowler said: “While no result will ever take away the suffering they have caused, I hope the sentences handed out today will bring them a sense of closure and comfort, knowing the attackers will spend a significant period behind bars.
“Once again, I’d like to thank the officers and staff who have worked tirelessly on this case from a range of specialist teams across the force to ensure Fawcett, Hawthorn, Wandless and Wynne were put before the courts.
“There are no winners where serious violence is concerned, and this case demonstrates the sheer harm that using corrosive substances as a weapon can have on others.
“You don’t have to deliver the fatal blow to contribute to someone’s death.
“Using a household item such as ammonia can still very much amount to murder.
“As a force we are fully committed to tackling violent crime, and we’ll continue to work with our partners to ensure our region remains one of the safest in the country.”
Following the sentencing, Mr Foster’s mother, Karen, said: “Andrew was the life and soul of the party.
“He loved to make people laugh and was always happy.
“He was kind and caring, and was always ready to lend a hand, and to listen to anyone who needed to talk.
“Since his death, I have struggled enormously.
“I used to be a social bubbly person, now I like to be on my own a lot.
“I am haunted by the horrible, violent way in which Andrew died.
“His death has changed me in every way.
“I am angry.
“I am heartbroken because he has gone forever, and I have lost so much because he is not here with me.
“I am devastated because I can't tell him I love him and hear him tell me he loves me.”
Mr Foster’s partner, Katie, said: “I know some things I will have to live with forever.
“For example, the constant flash backs to that night, the fear and panic running through my body, feeling helpless whilst trying desperately to keep Andrew alive.
“Struggling with the smell of ammonia that was overpowering, filling the air, choking, coughing, being completely terrified, seeing him struggling for breath, fighting for his life as he lay on the ground outside.
“Having to listen to every detail of that night in court, watching CCTV and hearing those men were still in our home.
“Every element of my life has changed.
“I have lost the love of my life, my best friend, my home, my security, our future.
“I know I am a shadow of who I previously was, and sometimes don’t recognise who I am now.
See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here
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“From being a happy-go-lucky person to being totally overwhelmed by everything.
“This day has changed me forever.”
She added: “I have a hole in my heart, a void in my life.”
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