A dad set up a fake computer company as a front for a cocaine importation ring, but will be "back with his family for Christmas".
Kevin Boyle even had jackets produced with the supposed business' logo emblazoned on them on behalf of the Gallagher brothers, who headed up the conspiracy. However, he maintains that he did not realise he was involved in the supply of class A drugs and instead believed he was part of a scheme to avoid paying duty on cigarettes and alcohol brought into the country.
Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Tuesday, that the 41-year-old "acted as a frontman" for the organised crime group's shell company. Stephen McNally, prosecuting, described how Boyle was responsible for creating the alias Maurice Clarke and registering Clarke Computers and Software Ltd with Companies House.
READ MORE: Mum of Rhys Jones' killer Sean Mercer admits helping son to evade justice
This business was established in February 2020 with a Warrington address using a fake passport in the name of Mr Clarke, with HMRC documents also being forged. The father attended viewings for warehouses in a company branded fleece "to add an air of legitimacy", with a unit on Trafalgar Court in Widnes ultimately leased as a storage facility.
Boyle, of Warbreck Road in Orrell Park, also had signage made up for the premises. A tablet computer seized from him upon his arrest in September 2021 had used the site's Wi-fi and had an app installed to monitor CCTV cameras in place there.
His involvement was revealed in messages between his bosses, brothers Ashley and Craig Gallagher, on encrypted communications platform EncroChat which referred to "Kev" and "Boyley". Boyle himself did not have access to an Encro phone however.
The court was told that he believed the operation involved avoiding the paying of customs on imported booze and tobacco rather than class A drugs. The defendant received a payment of £1,000 for his involvement.
Boyle, who has previous convictions for "minor matters" in 2004 and 2011, was supported by family members in the public gallery as he appeared via video link to HMP Altcourse. Ian Whitehurst, defending, said his client had been "open and frank about what he was up to".
He added: "He was simply an enabler. The stupid decision he has made has led to drastic consequences.
"He has let so many people down by being attracted to a fast buck. He has a chance to rehabilitate his life, slowly but surely - he has had successful businesses in the past and intends to do that again once he is released."
Boyle admitted participating in the activities of an organised crime group and was handed a jail term of 30 months. He has been remanded in custody for the past 14-and-a-half months and will serve half of his sentence before being freed on licence, meaning he is likely to be released from prison in the near future.
Sentencing, Judge David Swinnerton said: "You did not know what you were assisting was the importation of class A drugs. You believed you were assisting with the evasion of duty on cigarettes or alcohol that was going to be imported.
"You were happy to go along with assisting these crimes out of greed and stupidity. You are not a main player, but you are someone who provided assistance.
"I accept that you are ashamed and remorseful that you ever got yourself involved in this. I suspect you will be back to your family in time for Christmas.
"Go back to your children, enjoy that and stay away from these sorts of people. If you are genuine about your remorse, then I won't see you again - and I hope that is the case."
Several co-defendants are expected to be sentenced for drug offences next year.
READ NEXT: Murder accused was intended target when 16-year-old was stabbed to death
Royal Marine drug dealers snared after thousands of EncroChat messages uncovered
Cruel conman stole hundreds of pounds from pensioner on day her husband died
Man battered his own sister while on the phone to his dad
Facebook fraudster, rapist delivery man and pie shop robber jailed this week
