NINE criminals from Wirral will be spending their first of many Christmases behind bars this year after Merseyside Police's 12 month crackdown on organised crime.

Kurtis Bolton, Curtis Byrne, Connor Chapman, Thomas Waring, Liam Jones, Kenneth Thomas, John Lewis, David Delap and Liam Freaney are among Merseyside criminals jailed for various offences as part of Merseyside Police operation Evolve.

The Home Office-backed initiative has been introduced in areas blighted by organised crime to remove criminal gangs, prevent new ones moving into the void and then build the resilience of local communities against criminal activity.

EVOLVE was first employed in parts of Liverpool and Knowsley following the murders of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt Korbel, 29-year-old Ashley Dale and 22-year-old Sam Rimmer last August. 

EVOLVE Wirral was introduced following the murder of 26-year-old Elle Edwards last Christmas Eve, launching to the community with the Build phase in May. 

Superintendent Martin Earl, one of the senior officers for EVOLVE, said: "This year we have seen significant sentences given to some of the offenders guilty of the most heinous crimes.

"As a force our officers work hard to keep our streets safe and since the introduction of EVOLVE we have seen a noticeable reduction in firearms incidents as well as other serious and organised crime.

"We are identifying those involved in gangs who are engaging in drug-related activity and other criminality as well as those who are helping them in ways such as by laundering money and storing drugs, weapons or money. 

"Together with our partners we will be continuing to reduce the tolerance for organised crime in our communities and helping to rebuild neighbourhoods into places where people would love to live, work and visit.

“EVOLVE presents us all with an opportunity to make a difference to the lives of innocent people who have been living under the shadow of organised crime."

Those spending Christmas behind bars this year from EVOLVE Wirral include:

  • Kurtis Bolton, 27, from Bidston, sentenced on January 31 at Liverpool Crown Court to nine years and eight months for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine
  • Curtis Byrne, 22, of no fixed abode, was sentenced on February 16 to seven years for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine
  • Connor Chapman, aged 23, of no fixed abode, was sentenced on July 7 at Liverpool Crown Court for 48 years for the murder of Elle Edwards on Christmas Eve last year 
  • Thomas Waring, 21, from Barnston, who was sentenced on July 7 at Liverpool Crown Court to nine years for assisting an offender 
  • Liam Jones, 30, of no fixed abode, sentenced to eight years on August 4 at Liverpool Crown Court for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine
  • Kenneth Thomas, 51, from Beechwood was sentenced on September 13 at Liverpool Crown Court to six-and-a-half years for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine
  • John Lewis, 23, from Woodchurch, was sentenced on September 28 at Liverpool Crown Court to 24 years for attempted murder, conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and conspiracy to sell firearms
  • David Delap, 34, from Prenton was sentenced on September 28 at Liverpool Crown Court to five-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs
  • Liam Freaney, aged 37, from Bidston, was sentenced on September 30 at Liverpool Crown Court to 16 years for conspiracy to possess a firearm and conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.

Those spending Christmas behind bars this year from EVOLVE Netherton include:

  • Jacob Dickinson, 19, from Seaforth, sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on June 8 to six years' detention in a Young Offenders’ Institute for robbery and section 18 wounding
  • Gordon Rhodes, 58, from Netherton, convicted of three counts of possession of a firearm, three counts of possession of ammunition and possession of cannabis and jailed for nine years and nine months on August 17 at Liverpool Crown Court
  • Adrian Craig, 36, from Fazakerley pleaded guilty to possession of Class A and B drugs with intent to supply and possession of criminal property and was jailed for five years on October 2 at Liverpool Crown Court

Those spending Christmas behind bars from EVOLVE Liverpool-Knowsley include:

  • Thomas Cashman, 35, from Liverpool, sentenced to 42 years for murder, attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life on April 4
  • Niall Barry, 26, from Tuebrook sentenced to 47 years for murder, conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon on 22 November 22
  • James Whitham, 41, from Huyton, sentenced to 43 years for murder, conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon on November 22
  • Sean Zeisz, 28, from Huyton, sentenced to 42 years for murder, conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon on November 22
  • Joseph Peers, 29, from Roby, sentenced to 41 years for murder, conspiracy to murder, and conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon on November 22

A Merseyside Police statement pointed out that although 27 offenders will be spending Christmas behind bars having been jailed this year for offences in the three EVOLVE areas, the force has issued names and images of the 17 jailed for at least five years

Anyone with information about crime he asked to call Merseyside Police on 101, or via social media @MerPolCC. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use their online reporting form by visiting https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information