Northumberland couple who drew their grandsons into a life of dealing convicted of drugs crimes

Northumbria Police say officers seized a concoction of cocaine, MDMA, opioid painkiller oxycodone and heroin during the searches, which centred on Dianne Wright and her husband Philip Stephenson.

It says the couple were the linchpins of a drugs empire which supplied a variety of Class A drugs across the North East region.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the family business expanded by recruiting grandsons Aaron, Wesley and Mckenzie Stephenson and his girlfriend, Centaine Armstrong.

It was also alleged the grandsons’ associates Amy Sillet, Brad Fogerty and Lewis Potter were lured into helping.

As well as helping distribute and supply the products, the family also created dangerous concoctions to help maximise profits, often mixing their cocaine with worming powder, laxatives, laundry detergent and carcinogenic substances.

But, the lucrative enterprise was finally brought to its knees on February 14, 2018, with a number of raids at various Northumberland properties associated with the family.

When officers struck at Wright’s property on Woodhorn Road, Newbiggin, they seized £22,000 in cash, a quantity of bulking agents, an ingredients list as well as a crossbow, air weapon and bullets.

A search carried out at Aaron Stephenson’s property on Chestnut Way, Widdrington, discovered a further haul of drugs and £17,000 in cash.

All nine suspects were arrested and charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and on Monday, March 16 a jury returned their verdict after a six-week trial.

Diane Wright, 60, and Philip Stephenson, 66, both of Woodhorn Road, Newbiggin, were found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possessing criminal property.

Aaron Stephenson, 26, of Chestnut Way, Widdrington, was also found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possessing criminal property.

Wesley Stephenson, 23, of Storey Crescent, Newbiggin, was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of Class A and C drugs.

Mckenzie Stephenson, 22, of Aidan Grove, Ellington, and his girlfriend Centaine Armstrong, 21, of De Merley Gardens, Widdrington, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

They are due to be sentenced back at the court on May 6.

Amy Sillet, 22, of Portia Street, Ashington, Brad Fogerty, 23, of Park View, Ashington, and Lewis Potter, 25, of Linden way, Ellington, were found not guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Detective Constable Debbie Nisbet welcomed the verdict, saying it was the culmination of two years’ of hard work.

She said: “The Stephenson family showed a blatant disregard for the law and thought they would never be caught.

“They selfishly exploited vulnerable drug users – selling dangerous products mixed with toxic chemicals – some of which can cause cancer – simply to turn a profit.

“The weapons we seized showed they were prepared to use violence to keep themselves in business and our streets are a safer place with them behind bars.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the officers who helped with this investigation and helped us achieve this result.”