Convicted murderer jailed again for drug conspiracy

Mark Wood was jailed for life after he was found guilty - along with two other men - of the senseless and brutal killing of 17-year-old Jordan Campbell in 2015.

Wood, 33, was ordered to serve a minimum term of 21 years and was a well-connected drug dealer before his murder conviction.

Police were already investigating him for drug offences when he and Danny Wilshire and Rueben Hoather, Jordan’s cousin, attacked the teenager during a booze and cocaine-fuelled party.

He was jailed for the drug conspiracy along with Jonathan Griffin, 28, of Ivy Avenue, Newton-le-Willows, who received eight years and eight months, and Darren Winstanley, 31, of Kendal Drive, St Helens, who must serve six years and eight months.

His additional sentence means powerfully-built Wood will not be eligible for release until he is at least 60.

Detectives from Merseyside Police in St Helens conducted an eight-month investigation from November 2014 to June 2015.

During the investigation a large quantity of drugs was recovered from an address on Dean Meadow, Newton-le-Willows on 17 December 17, 2014, just days before Jordan’s murder.

A total of 928g of heroin, 397.85g of cocaine and 1.9kg of cannabis with an estimated street value of between £114,279 and £170,543 was seized. Also recovered from the property was a large metal press, electronic scale, mixing bowls and more than 13kgs of powders used to bulk out drugs.

More drugs were found at a property in Warrington.

Det Sgt Chris Lowe said: “This conspiracy involved the mixing of drugs for supply across the region. This group have blighted communities in Merseyside and beyond, profiting heavily from the sales of drugs. I hope these sentences serve as a deterrent to anyone thinking of becoming involved in the supply of drugs.”