Latest news with #RichardHoyland
Wales Online
09-08-2025
- Wales Online
80-year-old farmer and son made multi-million pound cocaine runs for 'Mr Miyagi'
80-year-old farmer and son made multi-million pound cocaine runs for 'Mr Miyagi' Malcolm Hoyland, 80, has been jailed, together with his son, 45 Richard (left) and Malcolm Hoyland (Image: Greater Manchester Police) A father and son have been jailed over a multi-million pound cocaine conspiracy led by a criminal nicknamed 'Mr Miyagi'. Malcolm Hoyland, a retired farmer, is 80. His son, Richard Hoyland, is 45. A court heard they were 'trusted' by others to store and transport huge quantities of cocaine across the country, with 17 delivery trips referenced in total, from Sunderland to Plymouth. Prosecutors said they were involved with 137kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of £8.3m in total. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here The court heard the operation was carried out on behalf of a person referenced only as 'Mr Miyagi', which is believed to be a reference to the fictional character from the Karate Kid films. Malcolm Hoyland's friends told a judge in character witness statements they were 'dumbfounded' he was involved. Manchester Crown Court heard he hasn't been to jail before. He was locked up at a sentencing hearing on Thursday (August 7) for seven years and three months, a sentence he will serve up to half of behind bars. His son Richard Hoyland, who suffers from the degenerative disorder Huntington's disease, was jailed for 10 years. The court heard he played a 'significant role' in the conspiracy and had 'direct contact' with 'Mr Miyagi'. He was said to have been 'presented with the opportunity' to get involved, then roped his elderly father into the conspiracy. They made delivery trips together - and alone - for a two-and-a-half month period from early November, 2024 to late January this year. The Hoylands lived together at an address on Meade Hill Road in Prestwich, Bury. A machete seized from Richard Hoyland (Image: GMP) Prosecuting, Alex Langhorn, said Malcolm Hoyland assisted his son on the drug runs. The court heard of one trip to Failsworth, Oldham, where seven kilograms of cocaine was handed over to a known member of an organised crime group (OCG). He said that on January 27 this year, Malcolm Hoyland was arrested on the driveway of their home. Police found bags containing 83kg of cocaine in the living room, as well as a machete under the sofa. Other bags containing 13kg of cocaine were also discovered, as well as £2,000 in cash in the garage, Mr Langhorn said. Cash in a safe and sports holdalls used to carry the drugs were also recovered. The court heard Richard Hoyland was arrested in his Ford Transit van. Mobile phones and bags of cash - one found in a bedroom sock drawer - were also discovered. Nicholas Clarke, defending Richard Hoyland, said: "He is not someone who makes a significant amount of money. He had lost his job prior to this. He was expected to keep his family and lifestyle afloat. He accepts driving Class A drugs from one part of the country to another. It was a difficult endeavour to get out of." Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Michael James, for Malcolm Hoyland, said: "He is not intending to pass blame. He was driving with his son, dropping off packages. He was cooperative with the police. He is a family man. There is a low risk of reoffending." Both will face a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act in the New Year. They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A. Drugs seized from Richard and Malcolm Hoyland (Image: GMP) Sentencing, Judge Peter Horgan said it was 'a very sorry state of affairs, given that I have to sentence a father and son'. "You were both involved in storing and supplying a very large amount of cocaine for someone else," Judge Horgan said, adding that the name 'Mr Miyagi' had 'featured prominently' in the evidence. He said Richard Hoyland became 'embroiled' first, then got his father involved, who was said to have been a 'willing conspirator'. The judge told Richard Hoyland: "Whilst you were acting at the behest of another, you were trusted to store and deliver large amounts of cocaine. You took full responsibility for them involving your father." He said Malcolm Hoyland was 'introduced' to the conspiracy by his son and was, to a degree, 'acting under him'. Judge Horgan said there was no evidence to suggest Malcolm Hoyland was acting under the 'duress' of his son, saying he had taken his 'own decision to play an active role in the conspiracy'. He went on to acknowledge that serving his first custodial sentence at the age of 80 would present 'difficulties'. A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act was listed for January 28, 2026. Article continues below Detective Constable Elle Cartwright, of Greater Manchester Police's Serious Organised Crime Group, said after the case: "This was a sophisticated and highly organised criminal network responsible for flooding communities with harmful drugs. "Richard Hoyland, along with his father Malcolm, played pivotal roles in supplying vast quantities of Class A drugs to gangs across the country. Their convictions are a significant result in our ongoing fight against serious and organised crime."
BBC News
07-08-2025
- BBC News
Greater Manchester father and son 'flooded' England with cocaine
A father and son who "flooded" England with cocaine worth millions of pounds have been Hoyland, 80, and son Richard, 45, were sentenced to seven years and three months and 10 years respectively at Manchester Crown Court after admitting drug pair delivered drugs in their van to organised crime groups in Plymouth, Merseyside, Devon, Cornwall, Essex, the Midlands and Con Elle Cartwright, from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the pair played a "pivotal" role in cocaine dealing, with their "sophisticated and highly organised criminal network responsible for flooding communities with harmful drugs". GMP said Richard Hoyland, of Meade Hill Road, Prestwich was identified as a supplier of Class A drugs to organised crime groups (OCGs) across the was seen in November supplying a large blue bag containing 5kg of cocaine. But officers intercepted a vehicle on its way to Hull and recovered the from a mobile phone, other seized devices and handwritten notes, linked him to the supply was arrested on 27 January and police found 83kg of cocaine worth millions of pounds in his family home.A further 13kg was found in his bedroom, alongside "drug-related paraphernalia" and a large machete hidden beneath a sofa. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
