Latest news with #NorthwichProactive
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
His freedom lasted two seconds before he was cuffed
A drug dealer's taste of freedom was short-lived. Footage shows how police arrested Samuel Watts as he took just one step into the outside. As a sliding prison door opens he is handcuffed immediatley when leaving HMP Kirkham. A police officer says "hello Sam" and tells him he is being arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. Looking bemused he complains: "Do you understand what I've gone through in the last three months". He is then escorted to a waiting police van. READ MORE: Dad, 47, dies after sickening Benidorm attack - and his family still have no answers READ MORE: Manchester Airport travellers hit by 'crazy' queues with statement issued The court heard how in September 2023 Watts was jailed for three years after he admitted being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs (cocaine and cannabis) and possession of a weapon. In July 2024 officers at Northwich Proactive CID discovered intelligence suggesting that Watts was in possession of a mobile phone and was coordinating the sale of illegal drugs in Northwich from his prison cell. Following the discovery, officers arranged for Watts to be searched in his cell, where prison officers discovered an Apple iPhone which was strapped to his waist. The phone was later analysed by officers at Northwich who recovered a catalogue of messages which proved he was involved in the sale of illegal drugs. Watts was later arrested on Thursday 21 November 2024, as he left HMP Kirkham following his release for his previous offences. Watts appeared at Burnley Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 5 June) where he was sentenced to four years and four months in prison. The 34-year-old of Thornley Green, Northwich, had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine) while serving a prison sentence at HMP Kirkham near Preston. Police Constable Dane Lee of Northwich CID said: 'Watts saw his initial prison sentence as an inconvenience rather than a punishment. After smuggling a mobile phone into the prison, he thought that he could simply continue to run his criminal enterprise from behind bars, directing people lower down the chain to deliver drugs on his behalf. 'However, he clearly underestimated the dedication and determination of the team here at Northwich Proactive CID. As soon as we became aware of his latest activities we brought them to a swift conclusion and were ready to arrest him as he was released from prison. 'I welcome the latest sentence handed to Watts and hopefully this time he'll use his time behind bars to reflect upon his actions rather than trying to set up another business venture, otherwise we'll be waiting for him again next time he's released.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Moment gutted lag is arrested at prison gates as he LEAVES jail – after dealing drugs from his cell
THIS is the moment a gobsmacked criminal was arrested at the prison gates - just seconds after leaving jail. Samuel Watts had been released HMP Kirkham following a three-year sentence for a drug dealing plot. Advertisement 4 Samuel Watts was arrested just seconds after leaving jail 4 He has now been locked up again But the 34-year-old only managed to taste freedom for a few moments before he was pounced on by police. Officers had discovered Watts was still dealing drugs from his prison cell. In bodycam footage, he can be heard moaning "you don't know what I've gone through". Despite his pleas, officers can then be seen placing the criminal in handcuffs at the prison gates. Advertisement Read more news He has now been jailed for four years and four months after he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine) while serving a prison sentence. In July last year, officers at Northwich Proactive CID discovered intelligence suggesting Watts was in possession of a mobile. They believed he was using the contraband to sell drugs from his cell at the Preston nick. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Following the discovery, Watts was searched and prison officers discovered an Apple iPhone strapped to his waist. A search of the phone revealed a catalogue of messages that proved he was selling illegal drugs. Police Constable Dan Lee, Of Northwich Proactive CID, said: 'Watts saw his initial prison sentence as an inconvenience rather than a punishment. "After smuggling a mobile phone into the prison, he thought that he could simply continue to run his criminal enterprise from behind bars, directing people lower down the chain to deliver drugs on his behalf. Advertisement 'However, he clearly underestimated the dedication and determination of the team here at Northwich Proactive CID. "As soon as we became aware of his latest activities we brought them to a swift conclusion and were ready to arrest him as he was released from prison. 'I welcome the latest sentence handed to Watts and hopefully this time he'll use his time behind bars to reflect upon his actions rather than trying to set up another business venture, otherwise we'll be waiting for him again next time he's released.' 4 Watts looked stunned to find police waiting for him Advertisement 4 Officers discovered he had been dealing drugs in prison
ITV News
3 days ago
- ITV News
Northwich man jailed again after running drugs ring from his prison cell
The moment Samuel Watts was arrested as he left HMP Kirkham after serving a previous sentence A man who saw his prison term as an "inconvenience rather than a punishment" has been jailed once more after he admitted dealing drugs from his cell. Samuel Watts, 34, was serving a three-year prison term at HMP Kirkham, in Preston, after he admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis and possession of a weapon. But by July 2024 police uncovered intelligence suggesting that Watts, of Thornley Green in Northwich, Cheshire, had a mobile phone and was coordinating the sale of illegal drugs in the town from his prison cell. Watts was later searched in his cell where prison officers discovered an iPhone strapped to his waist, which later analysis showed carried a string of messages proving he was involved in the sale of illegal drugs. He was then arrested as he left HMP Kirkham following his release for his previous offences, in November 2024, and has now been sentenced to four years and four months in prison at Burnley Crown Court. Following the sentencing Police Constable Dan Lee, of Cheshire Police's Northwich Proactive CID, said: 'Watts saw his initial prison sentence as an inconvenience rather than a punishment. "After smuggling a mobile phone into the prison, he thought that he could simply continue to run his criminal enterprise from behind bars, directing people lower down the chain to deliver drugs on his behalf. 'However, he clearly underestimated the dedication and determination of the team here at Northwich Proactive CID. "As soon as we became aware of his latest activities we brought them to a swift conclusion and were ready to arrest him as he was released from prison. 'I welcome the latest sentence handed to Watts and hopefully this time he'll use his time behind bars to reflect upon his actions rather than trying to set up another business venture, otherwise we'll be waiting for him again next time he's released.'
