These are the latest Liverpool ECHO headlines this morning.
'Billy Whizz' gang with connections to Dubai, India and Iran netted £1million
A drugs gang with links to Dubai, India and Iran netted profits of more than £1million.
An organised crime group led by Ricardo Hughes moved hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of amphetamine branded with pictures of Beano character Billy Whizz. Investigations into the ring also brought down Andrew Lenehan, who boasted connections across the globe.
Gang members were previously jailed for a combined total of more than 40 years. They were hauled back before Liverpool Crown Court this week for a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
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The court heard of the substantial sums conspirators banked as a result of their involvement. Lenehan, of Scarisbrick Road in Walton, gained the highest sum with an overall benefit figure of £745,511.15.
After examination of his accounts and property, the court ruled his available assets to be £30,828.29. This amount must now be repaid within three months, or the 58-year-old will face an additional nine months in prison.
Meanwhile David Hunter, who played a "leading" role in the OCG, pocketed a £166,447.47. However the 49-year-old - of Larch Close in Billinge, St Helens - was not found to have any recoverable assets and Judge Brian Cummings KC imposed a nominal sum of £1, which was deemed to have been paid by the court. Read the full story here.
'Super fit' man, 20, died 'out of the blue' 4,000 miles from home
Tributes have been paid to a "massive Red" after he died of a heart attack.
Henry Foster was described as a "born winner" and "genuine lad" after his death in May of last year while living in the USA. He had gone to America on a rugby scholarship with Central Washington University.
His friend Sean Brogan said Henry, from Hull, was "the kind of guy everyone loved" and his death came "out of the blue". After his cardiac arrest, Henry's brain was starved of oxygen and he was put on life support.
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Henry was "kept alive" just long enough for his family to arrive at the Virginia Mason Medical Center during the height of Covid to "say goodbye to him properly". Now just over a year on from his death, Sean has run eight marathons in seven days to honour his life.
Speaking to the ECHO Sean said: "It was out of the blue you hear of these things happening but you never think it will happen to one of your mates. I've never met someone so popular he was a genuine lad.
"He was super sporty and super fit, everyone just got on with him he did not have a bad bone in his body. Anybody who met would tell you that and I think that speaks volumes." Read more here.
Peter Kay announces first stand-up tour in 12 years with Liverpool show
Comedy legend Peter Kay has announced his return to stand-up comedy after a 12 year break.
The Phoenix Nights star will appear at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Friday, January 6, and Saturday, January 7 2023 as part of his all-new nationwide tour, which will take him from Manchester to Sheffield.
He said: "It’s good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy and if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now.
"And with the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35. The same price they were on my previous tour in 2010."
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Peter’s 2010 tour still officially ranks with the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest selling comedy tour of all time, playing to over 1.2 million people. In 2016 he won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Male Comedy Performance, the BAFTA TV Award for Best Scripted Comedy, and the National Television Award for Best Comedy for Peter Kay's Car Share.
Tickets for Peter Kay’s nationwide tour go on sale on the M&S Bank Arena website on November 12 at 10am.
Read the full story here.
