Sex offending vicar sentenced to four years in prison
A former Cannon of Carlisle has been sentenced at Carlisle Crown court for sex offences dating back 20 years.
Former police worker jailed for information leak
Ben Lewis sentenced to four and a half years in jail for misconduct in Public Office
Robbers jailed for six years
Two men who robbed a post office near Carlisle have each been jailed for six years.
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Crime ring members sentenced to 34 years
Members of an organised crime ring have been jailed for a total of 34 years.
The men were involved in the supply of Class A and B drugs and money laundering across southern Scotland and the north of England.
At Carlisle Crown Court, the final member of the gang, William Henry Young Jnr, 35, from Houghton, was jailed for eight years for two counts of money laundering.
His brother Noel Young, who ran the operation from his prison cell, was jailed for 12 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine.
Francis Morley was jailed for eight years for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Geoffrey Cairns was jailed for six years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine.
The three received sentences in 2011 but only after William Young's sentencing did the judge allow reporting restrictions to be lifted bringing to a close an investigation lasting over three years.
Cumbrian drugs ring: Eight sentenced to almost fifty years in jail
Eight people have been sentenced to a total of 49 years in prison for their part in a large-scale drugs ring.
The seven men and one woman from Carlisle, Kendal, west Cumbria and St Helens, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court.
'Operation Adder-Silkworm' began in April 2012, with officers from Cumbria Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit investigating a drug supply network.
The following defendants were sentenced :
- Luke Anthony Babester,39 years old of Milnthorpe Road Kendal sentenced to 12 years imprisonment
- Roger Fox, 38 years old, of Greta Avenue Carlisle, sentenced to nine years, nine months
- Stephen James Neill 32 years old of Castle View Kendal sentenced to five years, three months
- Steven John Smith, 32 years old of Town Croft, Dearham, sentenced to 10 years, six months
- Martin Andrew Smith 31 years of Grange Avenue, Flimby, sentenced to two years, six months
- Michael John Britland 30 years old of Billinge Crescent, St Helens, sentenced to three years, four months
- Grant Joseph Robertson 28 years old of Lingla Bank Frizington, sentenced to three years
- Angela Marie Clark 52 years old of Robert Owen Avenue, Cleator Moor, sentenced to three years
– Detective Inspector Mike Brown, Cumbria Police"Today’s sentences are the result of a great deal of hard, painstaking work by detectives and officers across many departments who are 100% committed to targeting the supply of controlled drugs.
“Although crime is low in Cumbria, we know that there are some people who set their sights onbeing “kingpins” in the drugs trade.
“Criminals often think they are clever and can escape the law. It’s not true. If you get involved in drugs supply you will end up in jail.
“The communities of Cumbria expect us to target serious criminals and that’s what we will continue to do.”
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Full Report: Vicar sentenced for sex offences
A former Canon at Carlisle Cathedral has been sent to prison for four years after admitting sexual offences against teenage boys. Ron Jons, who's now 75, carried out the offences between 1983 and 1991.
The Church of England has apologised for not reporting the matter to the police when the allegations were brought to the attention of the then Bishop of Carlisle almost 20 years ago.
You can watch the full report from Tim Backshall below.
Church response to former vicar sentencing
A spokesperson for the Diocese, The Venerable Richard Pratt, the Archdeacon of west Cumberland said:
“A prison sentence can never be a matter of pleasure, nor can it put right wrongs that were done, but the sentence given to Ronald Johns today is just and fair and reflects the gravity of his offences.
“We know that those abused can be manipulated by the abuser so that they are the ones who end up feeling guilty, while the abuser attempts to excuse himself. The Diocese of Carlisle therefore hopes that Ronald Johns’ victims will feel that this sentence lays clear the truth: Ronald Johns did wicked things, which were not their fault or responsibility.
– The Venerable Richard Pratt“We thank the police for all their work, those who deal with these very painful and stressful sorts of cases deserve our prays and support.
“In case anyone is affected by these matters, we have set up a special helpline with the NSPCC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, where independent, confidential and sensitive advice can be sought. The number is: 0808 800 5000 (calls free from UK landlines). The County Council Social Care department can also offer help and advice, their number is 0333 240 1727 Or, of course, people can ring the Police directly on 101.”
Police response to vicar sentencing
Cumbria police have responded to the sentencing of a former cannon of Carlisle Cathedral.
Ronald Johns was jailed for four years after admitting sex offences against two boys dating back 20 years.
Temporary Detective Inspector Gary McFadden was the investigating officer he said:
“Today’s court appearance marks the end of a twelve month long police investigation which only began due to the bravery of the victims who had the strength to come forward and report what had happened to them all those years ago. This takes remarkable strength and they have remained our focus throughout the investigation. Many of those victims were in court today to see justice being brought by the sentence which was imposed.
“Johns abused his position of trust to commit heinous crimes against children - and now, almost 20 years on, he has received his punishment.
– Temporary Detective Inspector Gary McFadden“Cumbria Police take allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously – no matter when the offences were committed. We would encourage any victims of crime to contact us and we will do all we can to support you and bring offenders to justice.”
Former vicar sentenced to four years in prison
Ronald Johns, a former Cannon of Carlisle Cathedral, has been sentenced to four years in prison for sex offences dating back 20 years.
Johns was a high ranking and well respected member of the Church of England in Cumbria but at the same time he was befriending and abusing teenage boys. He's admitted 10 offences against three boys aged 14 to 17 between 1983 and 1991. They include gross indecency and indecent assault.
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Sex offending vicar sentenced to four years in prison
A former Cannon of Carlisle has been sentenced at Carlisle Crown court for sex offences dating back 20 years.
Read the full storyFormer Carlisle Cannon arrives in court for sex offences sentencing
A former Canon at Carlisle Cathedral will be sentenced this afternoon after admitting a series of sexual offences against teenage boys. The Church of England has apologised for not reporting the matter to the police when allegations were first made about Canon Ron Johns in 1993.
Sex offences vicar arrives in court
A former Cannon of Carlisle has arrived at Carlisle Crown court. 75 year old Ronald Johns pleaded guilty earlier in the year to sex offences involving three teenage boys between 1983 and 1991.He will be sentenced this afternoon.
Vicar sentencing for sex offences
A former cannon of Carlisle Cathedral will be sentenced at carlisle crown court for a string of sex offences against boys dating back 20 years.
75 year old Ronald Johns pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to assaulting three teenage boys between 1993 and 1991.
The church was made aware of the allegations in 1993 but instead of reporting them to the authorities the then Bishop of Carlisle, the Right Reverend Ian Harland, moved Johns to a parish in Caldbeck.
The church has apologised 'unreservedly'.
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