Four jailed over murder of Gateshead man in Ammonia attack
Andrew Foster was attacked at his home in Wrekenton in August 2023
Last updated 26th Jul 2024
Four men have been given life sentences at Newcastle Crown Court, for the murder of a Gateshead man.
Andrew Foster, 26, died following a chemical attack at his home in August 2023.
Police were called out to an address in Wrekenton, where Foster had been sprayed in the face with ammonia.
It caused him to suffer breathing difficulties, a heart attack and brain damage.
After an investigation by Northumbria Police, they found that this incident was one of four corrosive substance attacks connected with drug dealing across South Tyneside.
The sentences were as follows;
Kenneth Fawcett, 33, North Shields – life imprisonment with a minimum term of 32 years
John Wandless, 33, No Fixed Abode – life imprisonment with a minimum term of 31 years
Youssef Wynne, 39, Jarrow - life imprisonment with a minimum term of 33 years
Josh Hawthorn, 22, Jarrow – life imprisonment with a minimum term of 22 years
On Friday, leader of the drugs gang Youssef Wynne, 40, of Wuppertal Court, Jarrow, was jailed for life by the judge, Mr Justice Dove, who ordered him to serve at least 33 years before he is considered for parole.
Three other men were jailed for life over Mr Foster's murder.
Kenneth Fawcett, 33, of Balkwell Avenue, North Shields, who was described by the judge as Wynne's "willing enforcer" was given a 32-year tariff; John Wandless, 33, of no fixed address, was given a 31-year tariff; and Josh Hawthorn, 22, of Ashfield, Jarrow, was given a 22-year tariff.
The judge said the attack on Mr Foster was the fourth in a series of ammonia attacks which were part of a "campaign of violence designed to bring fear of retribution and reprisals to those who crossed you in your drugs trade".
In another attack in the series, a woman suffered serious injuries which led to her having to have one of her eyes removed after it "melted".
The judge said: "This murder was committed during an attack in which was intended to protect and enforce the drugs trading business operated by Youssef Wynne."
He said this was 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".
He told the court: "The trade in illegal drugs is a curse in the communities we all live in"
The judge said: "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."
A jury in the defendants' trial that finished last month heard how Mr Foster was home with his partner Katie Harrison on August 20 when Fawcett and Wandless entered the property and threw the chemical in his face.
He suffered a severe respiratory attack and died.
This incident followed three other attacks earlier that August.
The victim of the most serious of these - Nicola Dixon - described the devastating impact on her life of losing an eye in an impact statement read to the court on Friday.
She said: "For what? I don't understand. I want to know why. Why me?"
Fawcett, Wandless and Wynne were all jailed for 15 years for the attack on Ms Dixon, but the judge ordered that these sentences should run concurrently to the sentences for Mr Foster's murder.
The defendants were sentenced for a range of offences, including Wandless for setting fire to the Volkswagen Golf used in the incident.
The court heard how, in another attack, an "entirely innocent bystander" had ammonia squirted in his face when he answered a door as he visited a friend.
Andrew’s mam, Karen, said: “Andrew was the life and soul of the party. He loved to make people laugh and was always happy.
“He was kind and caring, and was always ready to lend a hand, and to listen to anyone who needed to talk.
“Since Andrew’s death, I have struggled enormously. I used to be a social bubbly person, now I like to be on my own a lot.
“I am haunted by the horrible violent way in which Andrew died. Andrew’s death has changed me in every way. I am angry.
“I am heartbroken because he has gone forever, and I have lost so much because he is not here with me. I am devastated because I can't tell him I love him and hear him tell me he loves me.”
Andrew’s partner, Katie, said: “I know some things I will have to live with forever for example – the constant flash backs to that night, the fear and panic running through my body, feeling helpless whilst trying desperately to keep Andrew alive.
“Struggling with the smell of ammonia that was overpowering filling the air, choking, coughing. Being completely terrified.
“Seeing him struggling for breath, fighting for his life as he lay on the ground outside.
“Having to listen to every detail of that night in court, watching CCTV and hearing those men were still in our home.
“Every element of my life has changed. I have lost the love of my life, my best friend, my home, my security, our future.
“I know I am a shadow of who I previously was, and sometimes don’t recognise who I am now. From a happy go lucky person to being totally overwhelmed by everything.
“This day has changed me forever. I have a hole in my heart, a void in my life.”
Speaking after the conviction last month, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Tam Fowler, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts firmly remain with Andrew’s loved ones following his tragic death, as well as with the other victims involved in this reckless spate of attacks.
“This was a shocking and orchestrated crime spree which saw Fawcett, Hawthorn, Wandless and Wynne act together to intimidate and cause serious harm to their intended targets.
“Not only did their cowardly and vile actions lead to a young man tragically losing his life, but they also left a woman with life-changing injuries.
“The four offenders involved have continued to deny the charges put to them, without showing a hint of remorse for their victims throughout the investigation.
“They have continued to demonstrate their ignorance to the destruction they have caused, even trying to cover their tracks by setting fire to the vehicle used after learning of Andrew’s death.
“This meant that Andrew’s family – and the survivors from the other attacks – had to suffer through a lengthy court process and subsequent trial."
Stewart Haywood of the CPS said: “The Crown’s case was that each of these attacks were part of a scheme to ‘tax’ rival drug-dealers, which is a street term for stealing drugs from a competitor while scaring them off from future dealing.
“The use of corrosive chemicals in these attacks would have been utterly terrifying for the victims. In addition to causing the tragic death of Andrew Foster, the attacks caused one other victim to lose the sight in one eye, with two others also requiring significant medical treatment.
“The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with Northumbria Police throughout the course of the investigation to build a comprehensive case against each of these men, which was instrumental in securing the convictions against them at trial. Piecing together forensic and digital evidence, we were able to show the precise role that each defendant played in carrying out this string of horrific attacks.
“Our thoughts remain with the family of Andrew Foster and to the other victims, some of whom are still dealing with the life-changing consequences of these attacks. We sincerely hope that the life sentences passed on their attackers today provides them with some measure of comfort.”