Estate gang locked up and evicted

The four men and a 16-year-old were notorious troublemakers on the London Park Estate,

In May last year, two of the gang sparked widespread disorder when they called on local youths to pelt police with stones and bricks.

Leeds Crown Court heard that their previous offences included robbery, intimidation of witnesses, arson, assault and anti-social behaviour.

But it was a series of offences against one 17-year-old male, who had moved into his first home, that led to all five being convicted at trial and losing their freedom.

In November and December 2011, the group targeted the teenager’s flat in Eastway Park and threatened the boy and his friends.

On January 13, Nathan McCarthy, Jamie Evans and the 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also robbed three people in the flat.

Det Con Adrian Lever said: “This group believed that they ‘ran’ the London Park estate, that they were untouchable and could commit crimes against people living on the estate as and when they pleased.

“However, the sentences they have received clearly show that no-one is above the law.”

Last Friday Judge Chris Batty said the gang had run amok on the estate, causing disorder and fear.

He said the victim – a young man living on his own – was vulnerable and would have known about their reputation.

The court heard he had been afraid to speak to police and left the estate on the day he made his statement, never to return.

Jordan Watkinson, 19, of Bankfield Court, Mirfield, was jailed for three years for attempted robbery and a further three year for affray.

Allan Armbrister, mitigating, said he was prepared to get involved in situations and act without thinking, and relied upon bravado when confronted about his actions.

Judge Batty said it was ‘quite remarkable’ for Watkinson that he had not been in trouble since the offences, which was a step in the right direction.

Nathan McCarthy, 25, formerly of the London Park Estate, was jailed for six-and-a-half years for three counts of robbery, possession of MDMA with intent to supply, and possession of a class B drug with intent to supply.

Philip Morris, mitigating, said he had not gone to the flat with the intention of robbing the boy and his friends.

He added that McCarthy had started taking parenting classes while in prison awaiting sentence.

Liam McCarthy, 23, of Oliver Gardens, Mirield, was jailed for four years for affray and attempted robbery.

Samuel Andrews, mitigating, said he had left school without any qualifications but has gained some skills in prison.

He said that until these offences he had stayed out of trouble for four years, but he was in some ways a victim of his own size and build.

The 16-year-old, also from Mirfield, was given an 18 month detention and training order for three counts of robbery and one of attempted robbery..

Martin Robertshaw, mitigating, said his troubles could be traced to the time when his mum moved to Ireland to join his father, leaving him in his older sister’s care.

He said the teen was ‘very much on the periphery’ and there was a prospect of work with father upon his release.

Jamie Evans, 20, of Mitchell Avenue, Huddersfield, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for three counts of robbery.

Chris Moran, mitigating, said he had always denied involvement but now accepted his part.

The court heard the McCarthys would both be banned from the estate upon release.