Mr Foster was killed in the gang’s fourth corrosive attack in August last year as they sought to intimidate those who crossed their drug dealing route.
Friday 26 July 2024 17:05, United Kingdom
Four gang members will serve a combined minimum sentence of 118 years in prison after murdering a man by throwing ammonia in his face as part of a violent campaign to control a drug ring.
Andy Foster, 26, died after what the judge described as a “cruel and terrifying attack” at his home in Wrekenton, Gateshead, on August 20, 2023.
It was the fourth corrosive attack by the gang this month as they sought to intimidate rival drug dealers.
In one of the attacks, a woman who was not the intended target was seriously injured and had to have her eye removed after it “melted.”
The four gang members, who police said showed no “speech of remorse”, were sentenced to life in prison for Mr Foster’s murder and other crimes linked to the spate of ammonia attacks.
Gang leader Youssef Wynne, 40, from Jarrow, was sentenced to a minimum of 33 years in prison, while Kenneth Fawcett, 33, from North Shields, was given a minimum of 32 years in prison.
John Wandless, 33, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to a minimum term of 31 years, and Josh Hawthorn, 22, of Jarrow, was sentenced to a minimum term of 22 years.
Judge sentences gang members responsible for ammonia attacks
Judge Dove said the series of attacks were carried out to instill “fear of retaliation and reprisals on those who betrayed you in your drug dealing”.
He added that the attacks were aimed at “taxing” those who Wynne said needed “punishment or discipline” or needed to be taught “a lesson to protect the drug trade.”
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 responded before stealing his property.
Mr Foster was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries as he struggled to breathe.
He died shortly after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The judge told the four men convicted of his murder: “The impact of your attack on Andrew Foster has had devastating and irreversible consequences.
“He was a much loved young man, a sweet, funny and caring partner and son, with many years of life ahead of him.”
In a victim impact statement read out to the court, Ms Harrison said: “It has completely devastated our lives and broken my heart beyond anything I thought possible.”
She said: “I have no words for those responsible for Andy’s death. I hope I never have to see them again.”
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Mr Foster’s mother, Karen Foster, said in a statement about the impact of the incident: “He was not just my son, he was my best friend.”
She said: “I am haunted by the horrific and violent way Andrew died.”
Nicola Dixon, the woman who had to have an eye removed due to the injuries she suffered, also described the devastating impact the attack had on her life.
In an impact statement, she said: “For what? I don’t understand. I want to know why. Why me?”
Fawcett, Wandless and Wynne were all sentenced to 15 years in prison for the attack on Ms Dixon, but the judge ordered that those prison sentences run concurrently with those for Mr Foster’s murder.
In another attack, a “completely innocent bystander” was sprayed in the face with ammonia as he opened a door while visiting a friend.
A stolen grey VW Golf linked to three of the attacks was found burned out on August 22 in Wallsend, North Tyneside, after news of Mr Foster’s death became public.
Northumbria Detective Inspector Tam Fowler, senior investigating officer, said after the sentencing: “As always, our thoughts are with Andrew’s loved ones, and the other victims involved in these reckless attacks.
“It was a truly shocking wave that saw Fawcett, Hawthorn, Wandless and Wynne acting together to intimidate and cause serious harm to their targets.
“Not only that, but they continued to deny their involvement, without showing any trace of remorse towards their victims throughout the investigation.
“This means Andrew’s family – and survivors of other attacks – have had to sit through a lengthy court hearing, causing them even more pain and upheaval.”
