This is the face of a woman who played a small part in her family’s major drugs operation.
Gillian Melville, of Marchbank in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, was convicted for possession of criminal property and sentenced to 23 months in prison. But, a judge chose to suspend this meaning she wasn’t jailed alongside her son and husband.
The National Crime Agency has now shared the photo taken of Melville when the criminal empire her partner and son had built came crashing down on September 15, 2021.
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On that day, the police found nearly £500,000 of cash when they raided Melville’s Skelmersdale home that she shared with Ian Shacklady. The 66-year-old was found “sitting in bed with neatly stacked piles of cash to one side of her”.
The investigation by specialist Merseyside Organised Crime Partnership (OCP) proved this discovery was only a proportion of the total amount made by the group. The family and their criminal associates had been trading millions of pounds worth of class A drugs, including heroin, cannabis and hundreds of kilos of cocaine
Two ledgers were found at the address, containing lists consistent with the supply of at least 360kg of cocaine and 25kg of heroin. There were also entries showing the collection and delivery of more than £1.4m in cash.
John Germaine, 35, was identified partly through text messages, calls and the written logs, which showed that he had managed the supply of at least 12kg of class A drugs – either by arranging delivery or directing others to carry it out. Daniel Heeley, 32, played an integral part in the supply of large quantities of drugs to Morecambe and Barnard Castle, using three separate phone numbers to keep in contact with Shacklady, Causer and Germaine.
Melville, who used the assistance of a walker in court, had no previous convictions. Her barrister Stuart Nolan said she was “not motivated by personal gain”.
He continued: “She was fundamentally of hitherto good character. She is quite frail. She has regularly been admitted to hospital. Due to her mental health, she has been vulnerable for some time.
“Her physical health has been deteriorating for some time. She is a frail woman facing a custodial sentence which she views with great trepidation.”
Sentencing Judge Denis Watson KC told Melville: “You must have known exactly what was going on. Your son kept his ledgers at your home and he kept the ill-gotten gains at your address too.
“You knew precisely what your partner and son were up to and how long they had been doing it. Even though you were involved on one day, it is not overstating it to say that you did not have to be asked twice – you acted with your eyes open.
“You are someone of good character. You have poor health to say the very least. You are, it seems, blind in one eye. You have COPD, you have sciatica, you have had multiple heart surgeries and your mental health is suffering as well.”
These are the rest of the sentences handed down by the court:
Alan Causer, of Sherrat Street, Skelmersdale, Lancashire:
- Convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin, possession of criminal property.
- Sentence: 18 years
John Germaine, of Holt Drive, Burscough, Lancashire:
- Convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin, possession of criminal property.
- Sentence: 16 years
Daniel Heeley, of Rylstone Drive, Heysham, Lancashire:
- Convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin.
- Sentence: 15 years
Ian Shacklady, of Marchbank, Skelmersdale, Lancashire:
- Convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin, possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession of criminal property.
- Sentence: 12 years
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William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
