In a gripping turn of events at Teesside Crown Court, Newcastle resident Robert English captivated the jury as he shed tears while recounting his tumultuous past, including his involvement in drug trafficking and the heart-wrenching episode of being handcuffed at his father’s funeral.
Robert English’s Early Life and Past Crimes
English, a 41-year-old landscape gardener from Throckley, opened up about his troubled upbringing and a series of offenses that marked his early years. According to English, his descent into crime began with drug and alcohol abuse, which he used to cope with a difficult childhood.
In 2000, English was convicted of robbery after stealing a car, a crime he attributed to his substance abuse problems. The same year, he faced charges for theft and, in 2002, for a violent altercation with a taxi driver. ‘I’d been out drinking and taking drugs,’ he explained. ‘I left Newcastle city centre and had an argument with the taxi driver. I attacked him.’
Continuing Criminal Activities and Turning Points
Following these early encounters with the law, English’s criminal activities escalated. In 2006, after celebrating the birth of his child, English committed another robbery. This time, he not only assaulted a taxi driver but also stole and subsequently set fire to the taxi. His criminal record extended to a 2011 conviction for possession with intent to supply class A drugs. ‘I got paid in drugs to keep hold of drugs,’ English admitted.
A pivotal moment in English’s life came in 2012 during his father’s funeral. While still serving time in prison, English was handcuffed to prison officers and was unable to comfort his grieving mother. This deeply emotional experience became a catalyst for change. ‘It was a sudden realization that I’d done something wrong in my life – it was affecting my family, my children. I wanted to change the way I go about my business,’ he recounted, tearfully.
The Accusations and the Verdict
During the trial, English, along with his co-defendants Nico Easton, Mark McKeswick, and taxi driver Scott Highfield, faced serious accusations of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. The allegations were rooted in intercepted communications on the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat, which law enforcement agencies had hacked into.
Prosecutors argued that English and his associates had orchestrated the trafficking of £18,000 worth of heroin from Newcastle to Teesside. Easton also faced allegations of attempting to acquire a firearm. Despite the severity of the accusations, each defendant firmly denied the charges against them.
English’s involvement in the supposed conspiracy was further questioned due to significant cash deposits and valuable items found during a police raid on his residence. He, however, maintained his innocence, attributing the financial situation to his legitimate business endeavors post his criminal past.
Heritage Designer Landscapes: A New Beginning
Hoping to turn over a new leaf, English founded Heritage Designer Landscapes, a gardening supplies business based in Eachwick, Northumberland. Despite his efforts to reform, the stress of his ongoing trial led him to transfer ownership of the business to his wife and an associate named Nathan Jackson.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The trial continues, with the jury yet to reach a verdict. The case has drawn attention not only for the gravity of the charges but also for the deeply human elements revealed through English’s testimony.
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