Four gang members will serve a minimum combined term of 118 years after murdering a man by throwing ammonia in his face as part of a violent campaign to control a drugs trade.
Andy Foster, 26, died after what the judge described as a “cruel and terrifying attack” at his home in Wrekenton, Gateshead, on 20 August 2023.
It was the fourth corrosive substance attack carried out by the gang that month as they set out to intimidate rival drug dealers.
In one of the attacks, a woman who was not an intended target suffered serious injuries and had to have an eye removed after it “melted”.
All four gang members, who police said have not shown a “hint of remorse”, were handed life sentences for the murder of Mr Foster and other crimes linked to the spate of ammonia attacks.
Gang leader Youssef Wynne, 40, from Jarrow, was jailed for a minimum of 33 years, while Kenneth Fawcett, 33, of North Shields, was handed a minimum 32-year sentence.
John Wandless, 33, of no fixed address, was given a minimum 31-year term, and Josh Hawthorn, 22, of Jarrow was sentenced to a minimum of 22 years.
Andy Foster suffered a cardiac arrest after the ammonia attack. Pic: PA
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Judge sentences ammonia attack gang members
The judge Mr Justice Dove said the series of attacks were carried out to bring “fear of retribution and reprisals to those who crossed you in your drugs trade”.
He added that the attacks were about “taxing” those who Wynne deemed to be in need of “punishment or discipline” or needed to be “taught a lesson to protect the trade in drugs”.
Mr Foster was at home with his partner Katie Harrison when Fawcett and Wandless knocked on his front door.
The men then sprayed Mr Foster with ammonia when he answered before stealing from his property.
Mr Foster was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries as he struggled to breathe.
He passed away a short time later after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Youssef Wynne, 40, who has been jailed for 33 years. Pic: PA
John Wandless has been jailed for 31 years. Pic: PA
The judge said to the four men convicted of his murder: “The impact of your attack upon Andrew Foster had devastating and irreversible consequences.
“He was a much-loved young man – a gentle, funny, caring partner and son with many years of his life ahead of him.”
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Ms Harrison said: “It’s utterly devastated our lives and broken my heart beyond anything I thought was possible.”
She said: “I have no words for those responsible for Andy’s death. I hope I never have to set eyes on them ever again.”
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CCTV showing the gang members driving to Andy Foster’s house. Pic: PA/Northumbria Police
CCTV shows the two gang members leaving the home of Andy Foster. Pic: PA/Northumbria Police
Mr Foster’s mother Karen Foster said in a victim impact statement: “He wasn’t just my son, he was my best friend.”
She said: “I’m haunted by the horrible, violent way in which Andrew died.”
Nicola Dixon, the woman who had to have her eye removed due to the injuries she suffered, also described the devastating impact the attack has had on her life.
In an impact statement, she said: “For what? I don’t understand. I want to know why. Why me?”
Kenneth Fawcett has been jailed for 32 years. Pic: PA
Josh Hawthorn was given a 22-year tariff. Pic: PA
Fawcett, Wandless and Wynne were all jailed for 15 years for the attack on Ms Dixon, but the judge ordered that those jail terms should run concurrently to the sentences for Mr Foster’s murder.
In another of the attacks, an “entirely innocent bystander” had ammonia squirted in his face when he answered a door as he visited a friend.
A stolen grey VW Golf which had been connected to three of the attacks was found burned out on 22 August in Wallsend, North Tyneside, after news of Mr Foster’s death was made public.
A car connected to the three attacks was found burned out following Mr Foster’s murder. Pic: PA
An image of the bottle of ammonia the gang members used in the attack. Pic: PA
Northumbria Police Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Tam Fowler said after sentencing: ”As ever, our thoughts remain with Andrew’s loved ones, as well as with the other victims involved in these reckless attacks.
“This was a truly shocking spate which saw Fawcett, Hawthorn, Wandless and Wynne act together to intimidate and cause serious harm to their intended targets.
“Not only that, but they’ve continued to deny their involvement, without showing a hint of remorse for their victims throughout the investigation.
“This meant that Andrew’s family – and the survivors from the other attacks – had to sit through a lengthy trial at court, causing them further pain and upset.”