Drugs gang 'brought misery' to communities in south Devon
A gang member who police said brought "misery" to communities in south Devon has been jailed for 25 years for drugs and sex offences.
James Brooks, 41, of Dawlish, was a member of a gang who got "large sums of money" from cocaine and cannabis. He was one of 13 gang members sentenced at Bristol Crown Court following offences committed during 2018/2019. Judge Michael Longman said the town "changed for the better" after the arrests. Brooks, of Park Road, received the longest sentence of the 13 men, being handed 12 years for drugs offences, and 13 years for aiding and abetting 13 counts of rape. Criminal empire Devon and Cornwall Police said the group "exerted significant influence and control within Dawlish and Teignmouth" and "used violence and coercive tactics to maintain a criminal empire valued at £1m". Det Ch Insp Nick Wilden said some members had been a blight on communities for 10 years. Officers seized a variety of weapons during their investigation, including firearms, knives and knuckledusters. Seized mobile phone footage also showed them assaulting people over drug debts, police added. Sentencing after a four-month trial, Judge Longman said the men had "made an unwelcome mark on the town to detriment of law-abiding individuals". He added there was "no doubt" Brooks was the "prime mover of these conspiracies". Prosecutors also paid tribute to the courage of three rape victims who gave evidence against men who exploited them. One man in the town, who wanted to remain anonymous because of fear of reprisals, told the BBC that there had been a "definite atmosphere of fear". He said: "There was a seething undercurrent of, 'We don't want this here, but we don't know what to do about it'. "It's [now] like a blight has been lifted." As well as Brooks, those jailed included: The 13th man: Lewis Williams, 20, of Springwood Avenue, Garston, Liverpool, was given a two-year sentence, suspended for two years, for conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply. Related Internet Links HM Courts and Tribunals Service Devon and Cornwall Police