'No basis' for murderers to challenge convictions

Two gang members jailed for the murdering a man who had ammonia thrown in his face have lost an appeal against their convictions and sentences.

Youssef Wynne and Josh Hawthorn were sentenced to minimum terms of 33 years and 22 years respectively in July 2024 for their roles in the death of Andy Foster at his home in Wrekenton, Gateshead, the previous August.

The 26-year-old had a severe respiratory attack after two other gang members entered his home and threw the ammonia at him.

It was the fourth in a series of attacks in 11 days in Gateshead and South Shields in a battle to control the local drugs trade.

The men who targeted Foster - John Wandless and Kenneth Fawcett - were also convicted of murder and sentenced to minimum terms of 31 and 32 years respectively.

The four men's trial at Newcastle Crown Court heard Foster made and sold cannabis sweets and was killed in a so-called "taxing" raid where drug dealers rob their rivals.

Mr Justice Dove had described him as a "gentle, funny and caring partner and son" and said his death was "cruel and terrifying".

The ammonia attacks, he added, were "intended to protect and enforce" the drug trading business led by Wynne and were meant to "punish and discipline those who it was thought needed bringing into line or to be taught a lesson".

The victims of the first two attacks recovered while the third suffered "horrific and life-changing" injuries to her left eye, which had to be removed.

Wynne, now 42, and Hawthorn, now 24, both from Jarrow, were also convicted of the robbery of cannabis edibles.

Additionally, Wynne was guilty of assaulting Foster in an earlier incident and causing grievous bodily harm with intent and twice attempting to do so in relation to the other three ammonia attacks.

The pair sought to challenge their convictions as "unsafe" and argued the length of their minimum terms was "manifestly excessive".

On Thursday, Mark Fenhalls KC, representing Hawthorn, told a hearing at London's Court of Appeal that his client's conviction should be overturned as the murder case against him was "thin at best" and he was "lumped in with the others".

He said: "Everything there is consistent with him being involved in low-level street dealing, but not with enforcement."

Timothy Cray KC, for Wynne, argued his client's sentence should be reduced as the judge was wrong to find the offences were related to drug "taxing".

But Lord Justice Coulson, sitting with Mrs Justice Farbey and Judge Nigel Lickley KC, dismissed their claims.

He said said Hawthorn was "directly involved" and that he found it was not "arguable" his sentence was too long.

The senior judge also said Wynne's convictions were "entirely safe", adding there was "no basis" on which to challenge them.

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