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Gang boss faces extra curbs to stop life of crime behind bars
GANG leader Dennis Slade will face extra restrictions in prison to stop him organising crime from behind bars.
He was jailed for life at Leeds Crown Court yesterday for offences including conspiracy to murder and robbery but Judge Paul Hoffman also agreed to impose a serious crime prevention order on the 34-year-old.
Paul Greaney, prosecuting, told the court the order – which will last for five years – was being sought to prevent Slade "orchestrating criminal activity from prison".
"These convictions demonstrate Dennis Slade is a resourceful and committed criminal," he said, adding that under the order Slade would have no access to the internet and would also be prevented from attending courses in electronics, for example, where he could enhance his interest in surveillance and tracking devices.
When Slade was arrested by police in a car in March 2008 – after a plot to kill another criminal was thwarted – a tracking device with batteries and magnets was found in the vehicle. Officers believed this would have been attached to the victim's vehicle so they could follow him.
An advanced surveillance manual was also found in Slade's Lincoln Navigator car after his arrest, while the gang regularly used a van which had been converted for surveillance activities.
Slade's counsel, Andrew Menary QC urged the judge not to impose the order – suggesting the authorities had enough powers to monitor prisoners who should be encouraged to attend educational courses.
Rejecting the submissions, Judge Hoffman said: "I make a serious crime prevention order in the terms sought.
"I judge it necessary to protect the public and prevent you running any criminal business from your cell or developing skills, you should not have access to the net in particular, nor should you acquire further skills in electronics."
The order also prevents Slade from having mobile phones or
communication devices and limits the amount he can hold in a prison account to 250.
Mr Greaney told the court that amount would allow him to buy necessities in jail but not allow him "to influence other prisoners".
There are also further restrictions on bank accounts and Slade will also have to give notice of any visitor to West Yorkshire police, who will monitor the order.
This is only the second time the force has applied for such an order since the Serious Crime Act 2007 came into force and they can apply for a further order in the future.
Any breach is a criminal offence carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
The court heard Slade was first convicted of assault at the age of 16 in 1991. In 1993, he was sentenced for offences including grievous bodily harm when a woman was injured trying to stop him taking a car.
His last conviction was at the age of 21 in 1997 when he received 30 months in jail for possessing 250 bullets and handling equipment to make ammunition stolen from a firearms dealer in North Yorkshire.
Police claimed he thereafter enjoyed a luxury lifestyle on the proceeds of crime. After his arrest, among items recovered at his expensively furnished home was body armour from under his bed and an axe kept nearby.
Police have now begun action to recover any proceeds of crime by seizing any assets from the men.
Mr Menary told the judge that Slade still maintained his innocence on all charges and his record did not demonstrate a pattern of violence. No person had been physically injured in any of the offences nor had guns been taken on any of the robberies.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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