North Wales crime gang members who launched campaign of terror given serious crime prevention orders

Serious crime prevention orders have been made to restrict the behaviour of members of a criminal gang when they are released.

The orders were made at Mold Crown Court by Judge Huw Rees.

Prosecuting barrister John Philpotts said the orders had been agreed in the cases of four men who had previously been jailed following Operation Trimeter.

The case of a fifth man was adjourned.

The five year orders will restrict their association and mean that their phones and cars must be registered with the police.

Details of the individual orders were not read out in court but Mr Philpotts said they were personalised to each defendant.

Orders were agreed in respect of Ronnie Williams, Harry Williams, Patryk Dziewiatkowski and Trevor Jones.

Patryk Dziewiatkowski, 21, of Smithfield Road, Wrexham, was given 10 years in prison for a string of offences including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and commit criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage, arson and grievous bodily harm
Patryk Dziewiatkowski, 21, of Smithfield Road, Wrexham, was given 10 years in prison for a string of offences including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and commit criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage, arson and grievous bodily harm

An order against William Smith, previously described as the leader of the gang, was adjourned after the court heard he had changed lawyers and more time was needed.

The men were all jailed last June.

Mold Crown Court then heard that a determined undercover police operation unearthed an organised criminal gang operating in north east Wales prepared to use weapons to inflict violence and terrorise victims.

The gang were given jail sentences totalling more than 56 years as a judge praised the police and said their work had prevented serious harm to many people and their property.

Trevor Daniel Jones, 32, of Park Road, Ponciau, was given an eight year sentence for conspiracy to commit arson, grievous bodily harm and criminal damage.
Trevor Daniel Jones, 32, of Park Road, Ponciau, was given an eight year sentence for conspiracy to commit arson, grievous bodily harm and criminal damage

“The focused, determined and hugely effective covert operation – Operation Trimeter – targeted the activities of a criminal gang operating in North East Wales,” said Judge Geraint Walters.

“They formed part of an underworld which operated beneath the radar.”

William (Billy) Smith, 45, of Oxford Street, Wrexham, described as the head of the gang which terrorised people, including one family forced to flee their home, was jailed for 14 years.

William Michael Smith, 45, of Oxford Street, Wrexham, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his part in an organised crime gang which carried out a campaign of terror and intimidation in North East Wales
William Michael Smith, 45, of Oxford Street, Wrexham, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for his part in an organised crime gang which carried out a campaign of terror and intimidation in North East Wales

The 10-strong gang received sentences ranging from 18 months to 10 years.

The judge said: “In my judgement this team presented a serious threat to law and order in the area in which they operated. Ultimately the evidence uncovered resulted in 11 defendants being charged on 16 offences.”

The gang was smashed by an undercover police operation, Operation Trimeter, when officers placed probes in Smith’s vehicle and listened as they planned some of their crimes.

Smith admitted handling a stolen shotgun, conspiring to commit damage property, possession of a prohibited weapon, possessing of a weapon while prohibited, conspiracy to commit arson, conspiracy to commit damage, conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, conspiracy to inflict GBH with intent, and possessing a knuckleduster on his arrest.

Smith was also jailed for admitting at an earlier court hearing to firebombing a car in Church Stoke, Montgomery, in 2013.

Ronnie Williams, 24, of Glan Gors, Wrexham, was locked up for seven years for possessing and offensive weapon and conspiracy to supply cocaine and commit criminal damage
Ronnie Williams, 24, of Glan Gors, Wrexham, was locked up for seven years for possessing and offensive weapon and conspiracy to supply cocaine and commit criminal damage

Ronnie Williams, 23, of Glan Gors, Wrexham, who admitted handing the stolen shotgun, conspiring to damage property, possession of a shotgun when prohibited, and possessing a sawn off shotgun was given a total of seven years.

Harry Williams, 21,of Wern Las, Rhos, admitted handling the shotgun, possessing a sawn off shotgun and possessing it when prohibited. He was jailed for five years.

Harry Williams, 21, of Wern Las, Rhos, Wrexham, who was on on licence when he committed his offence, was given five years in prison for possessing a stolen sawn-off shot gun
Harry Williams, 21, of Wern Las, Rhos, Wrexham, who was on on licence when he committed his offence, was given five years in prison for possessing a stolen sawn-off shot gun

Dziewiatkowski, 21, of Smithfield Road, Wrexham, admitted conspiring to commit arson, conspiracy to commit damage, conspiring to supply drugs, conspiring to inflict GBH and possessing an extendable baton on his arrest and was jailed for 10 years.

Trevor Daniel Jones, 32, a mechanic, of Park Road, Ponciau, admitted conspiracy to commit arson and conspiracy to commit damage, and conspiring to inflict GBH , and was jailed for eight years.

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