Ashington men jailed as part of gangster's drugs ring

The 43-year-old lived in a plush property on Middle Drive, part of the Darras Hall estate, Ponteland, where leading business figures rub shoulders with millionaire football players.

But his front was shattered when he was arrested during an armed stand-off in connection with a serious assault linked to a debt-collecting mission.

Barratt was apprehended in his N-reg black Mercedes on the A696 after detectives learned of his role in a brutal attack, which saw a businessmen beaten close to death with a spade.

The arrest led to a search of his home, where a .38 calibre pistol was found and he was charged with causing grievous harm with intent and firearm possession.

But Barratt, who also ran a legitimate car wash business in Gateshead, was simultaneously the subject of an undercover police operation targeting organised crime groups in the North East.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how he used threats of violence to recruit people to his gang, which was primarily based in South East Northumberland.

Police raided a safe house, on Winchester Close, Ashington (pictured), which was being used to press and package the drugs and inside found a number of Barratt's associates.

Clouds of cocaine were reportedly floating around the property and one officer needed hospital treatment because of the volume of the class A drug he had been exposed to.

Among those discovered there was right-hand man Derwick Ramsay, who fled out of a window and ran into the house of associate Steven Thompson, 44, who agreed to hide scales and a Quality Street tin containing 40 grams of cocaine for him.

Ramsay, 39, of Dandsfield Square, Amble, was arrested and in interview told police of allotments in the rural town, where more cocaine, more than 10,000 Ecstasy tablets and around seven kilos of amphetamines were found.

The court heard Ramsay had filled a "vacuum" left by fellow drug dealer Jimmy Groves, 34, of Chestnut Street, Ashington, who had been sent to prison for six years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and Ecstasy.

Ramsay was forced by Barratt to take on Groves' debts and pay them back by working in the drugs racket. Barratt was given a nine-year sentence for his part in the cocaine conspiracy and a further nine years for GBH with intent, blackmail and possession of a firearm.

Ramsay got eight years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and five years for conspiracy to supply class B drugs, which are to run concurrently.

Others arrested as part of Operation Catalunya were David Jones, 51, of Spring Garden Close, Hendon, who was recruited to do drug deals in Sunderland was sentenced to two and half years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Kevin Thompson, 44, of St Albans Close, North Seaton, Ashington, was jailed for three years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and Gavin Young, 28, of Pont Street, Ashington, got two years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Steven Ross Miller, 26, of College Place, Ashington, was locked up for five years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and three years for conspiracy to supply class B drugs. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Det Chief Insp Steve Binks said: "These sentences come at the end of a complicated investigation into drug dealers and organised crime in the area.

"The supply and use of drugs leads to crime and disorder and in this case there was a serious assault. The victim suffered serious injuries including a fractured skull, fractured jaw and broken hands in what I can only describe as a savage beating.

"The law-abiding public will not tolerate drugs or violence in their society and we are continually working hard behind the scenes to stamp out this sort of activity and make our communities safer."

Pictured above: Cocaine discovered at Barratt's supposed safe house in Ashington