Gang Gets 100 Years in Jail, A46 Newark Bypass Returns, Swift Police Action & More
Happy Monday readers !
I hope you had a nice weekend, its time to grab a brew and a rich tea and have a read of today's newsletter covering all things Bassetlaw and surrounding areas.
Today's Quote of the Day - "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." — Albert Einstein
I would ask you to forward this newsletter email to anyone that you may think it would be of use to - perhaps people not on social media 24/7 or just people who like a summary read in the morning.
Enjoy the read and have a great weekend wherever you are reading this.
Justin Doddy, Editor
P.S. If someone forwarded you this newsletter, click here to sign up to get quality local journalism in your inbox.
Storage containers gang jailed for combined 100 years
Members of an organised criminal gang have been jailed for a combined 100 years after using storage containers on an industrial estate to stash guns, drugs and cash.
An investigation by detectives found the group were storing firearms and selling heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, MDMA and cannabis to street dealers, predominantly in the Mansfield area but also as far away as Hertfordshire and parts of Wales.
When they conducted warrants and opened up the containers, officers found five viable firearms and a huge quantity of ammunition.
Three of these weapons were handguns and included a Broomhandle Mauser.
The gang's ringleader, Jamie Smith, was handed a jail sentence of 22 years and eight months after the judge condemned his possession of these 'lethal weapons' which were 'highly susceptible to falling into the wrong hands'.
Members of the gang were given access to different storage containers at the Mansfield site depending on their position in the group.
Detectives dismantled the gang's activity and unraveled their conspiracy following a lengthy investigation which began in August 2025.
Gang members were making multiple trips to the storage containers, where they were observed delivering and collecting packages, boxes and cash.
One of the key players, Leah Hopkinson, was seen attending the site, sometimes up to four times a day during a three-month period.
It is believed Hopkinson was supplying up to 600 wraps a day of Class A and B drugs to street dealers.
Other members of the gang included Justin Gibson and Kieran Rimmer who moved items from container to container.
Smith was also seen moving large amounts of cash. In November 2025, moments before a warrant was executed by police, Smith was observed moving firearms between two storage containers.
During the warrant on all five containers, officers seized a large quantity of cash and drugs, the five firearms, ammunition, knives including a machete, and drug dealing equipment including a drug press, scales, mixing agents, and packaging consistent with wholesale amounts.
The defendants' properties were also searched. At the home address of Smith and his partner Shannon Lee Shaw in Breckbank, Mansfield, evidence was located including a drugs line phone.
Overall officers seized a large quantity of cash, mobile phones and sim cards, firearms, a machete, and a hoard of designer clothing along with thousands of pounds of motorbikes.
They also located a mobile phone, wrapped in clingfilm and hidden behind a fence, which exposed the drugs line in Smith's messages.
In total, £48,038 of cash was recovered from the five containers and the addresses and an estimated £746,000 of drugs on enforcement day alone.
Detective Inspector James McDonagh, of Nottinghamshire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Task Force, said:
"Many hours of detective work allowed us to dismantle this sophisticated criminal operation.
"Certain members of this gang were making large amounts of money and living lavish lifestyles funded by the misery of the drug users they exploited.
"They used five storage containers, with different levels of access, depending on the person's role within the hierarchy of the gang.
"For example, one of the containers was used to store money, another was used for storing drugs and firearms, and the others to package the drugs and deal from.
"Jamie Smith was clearly prepared to enforce his business using the firearms found within one of the containers.
"Offences involving firearms are extremely rare in Nottinghamshire and we are proactive in our efforts to take them off the streets and keep the public safe from the devastating consequences of gun crime.
"Ultimately, whole communities will benefit from these criminals being put behind bars for a considerable period of time.
"I'd also like to thank all the officers and police staff who worked tirelessly on this lengthy, complex and challenging investigation.
"The efforts of the Serious and Organised Crime Task Force and other teams we worked alongside have helped secure this outcome."
Passing sentence on 12 members of the gang on Thursday (24 September) at Nottingham Crown Court, Judge John Sampson said:
"Class A drugs blight lives of individuals, wreck families, cause further crime and destroy communities.
"You were all involved in peddling this misery."
The sentences handed down were:
Jamie Smith, aged 37, of Breckbank, Mansfield, was jailed for a total of 22 years and eight months years after he pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, possession of a shotgun without a certificate, possession of a firearm without a firearm certificate, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate.
Justin Gibson, aged 36, of The Rushes, Mansfield Woodhouse, was jailed for 17 years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and was found guilty after trial of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Leah Hopkinson, aged 31, of The Rushes, Mansfield Woodhouse, was sentenced to six years in jail after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and being found guilty after trial of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Kieran Rimmer, aged 37, of Seventh Avenue, Clipstone, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in jail after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Matthew Bryan, aged 35, of Elm Tree Avenue, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in jail.
Stefan Houston, aged 39, of Third Avenue, Clipstone was found guilty after trial of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was jailed for six years.
Brennan Hayes, 22, of Portland Crescent, Mansfield Woodhouse, was sentenced to five years and four months after he pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Anthony Lumley, aged 50, of Manor Road, Mansfield Woodhouse, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was jailed for eight years and one month.
Josh Harmieson, aged 33, of Elm Tree Avenue, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and was jailed for five years and three months.
Jack Smith, aged 25, of Charles Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs. He was sentenced to five years and 10 months in jail.
Lee Shipman, aged 40, of Byron Street, Shirebrook, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was jailed for five years and seven months.
Shannon Shaw, aged 31, of Breckbank, Mansfield, was sentenced to four months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months after admitting acquiring criminal property.
Councillors see outdoor education in action during special visit
A group of senior Nottinghamshire county councillors have seen first-hand how outdoor education is helping young people build confidence, develop new skills and enjoy new experiences during a special visit to three of the council’s educational centres.
Cllr Rory Green, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, was joined by Cllr Simon Wright, Cabinet Member for Education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities; Cllr Gaynor Mann, Deputy Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health; Cllr Barry Answer, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, and Cllr Terry Cox for visits to Perlethorpe Environmental Education Centre and Hagg Farm Outdoor Education Centre and St Michael’s Environmental Education Centre, which are both in the Derbyshire Peak District.
The centres form part of the county council’s flagship outdoor education service, Notts Outdoors, which provides schools and young people with meaningful learning experiences away from the traditional classroom environment.
During their visit to St Michael’s in Hathersage, the councillors met youngsters from Ranby Church of England Primary School in north Nottinghamshire who were taking part in activities as part of their residential experience.
The group also met members of the Notts Outdoors team and saw some of the activities available to children and young people, while learning more about how the centres provide opportunities to develop independence, resilience, teamwork and a greater appreciation of the natural environment.
Cllr Green said:
“It was wonderful to visit these lovely centres and see the fantastic work being delivered by our outdoor learning teams.
“Notts Outdoors is a flagship service for Nottinghamshire and these centres are playing a key role in enriching the lives of young people and providing meaningful outdoor learning experiences that inspire, challenge and support them to thrive.
“It was particularly lovely to meet the children from Ranby Church of England Primary School and see them getting stuck into their activities. There is something very special about watching young people try something new, work together and discover what they are capable of.
“These experiences can build confidence, independence and friendships, while giving children the chance to step away from the classroom and spend time learning, exploring and having fun outdoors.
“It was a privilege to meet the dedicated staff who make these opportunities possible and see the centres buzzing with activity. It was a wonderful visit and a great reminder of the important role outdoor education plays in supporting children and young people across Nottinghamshire.”
STOLEN CAR RECOVERED AND SUSPECTS IN CUFFS WITHIN AN HOUR
Nottinghamshire Police have advised that a stolen car was recovered and five suspects arrested less than an hour after the vehicle was reported missing.
The Ford B-Max was reported stolen from an address in South Leverton at 11.40am on Monday 21 September.
Officers travelling in a van were alerted to the presence of the stolen vehicle in the area and soon spotted it in Retford.
As the vehicle waited at the Sutton Lane railway crossing shortly before 12.30pm, the officers pounced, causing multiple suspects to flee.
Four were chased down and detained in a field, while another was found in a nearby garden.
Five boys, aged 17, 16, 16, 16 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft.They have since been bailed and an investigation into what happened is continuing.
DC Helen Plummer, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
"This was an excellent result delivered less than an hour after we were first informed of this offence.
"This is a rural area of the county but, as these individuals have discovered, there are no safe locations in our county for people travelling in stolen vehicles."
Content courtesy of Nottinghamshire Police
A new partner is being sought to design and build the A46 Newark Bypass scheme, just months after the Government said it wanted to cancel it.
By: Joe Locker, LDRS
Towards the end of June, the Government announced plans to save £700 million in a bid to boost defence spending.
This prompted National Highways to cancel its £297 million contract with Skanska, which had been intending to help deliver the bypass scheme.
As such, plans to widen the bypass, which have been 15 years in the making, are now under threat of total cancellation.
The A46 bypass, as well as improvements to the A38 in Derbyshire, were the only two projects in the country deemed “not immediately vital” by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government at the time.
However, a new construction contract opportunity has been published by National Highways via The Construction Index, stating the organisation is seeking “to procure a design and build partner to deliver the A46 Newark Bypass road scheme.”
“This Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is issued by National Highways and invites suppliers to participate in market engagement activities to inform the development of the commercial and procurement strategy for the A46 Newark Bypass scheme,” the notice reads.
It also adds: “National Highways are aware the Government are consulting on proposed changes… and that includes this project. No decisions have been made at this time.”
According to the notice, the contract value is estimated at £700 million, or £840 million including VAT.
The contract dates are estimated between December 4, 2028, and December 6, 2038, a ten-year period.
A presentation, Q&A session and other engagement sessions are expected to be held with potential contractors in October, according to the notice.
When approached by the Local Democracy Reporting Service about the notice, National Highways said the Department for Transport was handling media requests.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said:
“We have consulted with stakeholders on the possible cancellation of the A46 Newark Bypass road scheme.
“No final decision has been made, and we are carefully considering the responses before setting out the way forward.”
When asked specifically about the new contract tender, the DfT said National Highways was handling requests.
National Highways declined to comment.
A consultation period for all involved organisations, including the East Midlands Combined County Authority and local councils, ended mid-September, and it is understood responses are now being considered.
Cllr Paul Peacock, leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, told the LDRS:
“We’ve made contributions, and we are waiting for the Government response, which we expect in the autumn statement. We continue to work closely with Mayor Claire Ward.”
The debacle has prompted concerns from Newark’s Reform MP, Robert Jenrick.
He added:
“This is spectacular incompetence. First Labour cancelled the Newark Bypass, ditching the contractor and years of planning. Now, after our campaign, they’re reconsidering building it – but at double the original cost. This is a clown show, not a government. How can local people and businesses have any confidence after this farce?
“Once again, this government have treated local people as an afterthought by informing the trade press of their plans before the taxpaying public, MPs or councils. The Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, won’t even reply to my letter and has been missing in action.
“This road is a non-negotiable investment for Newark and Nottinghamshire. I won’t stop campaigning until shovels are in the ground. If Labour won’t build it, a Reform government will.”
An EMCCA spokesperson added:
“We are engaging with the government on the basis of our consultation response.”
Thanks so much for reading our local newsletter and for supporting us. We’re committed to providing Bassetlaw with the quality local news service it deserves, but sustaining this work may come with some challenges. Our team is currently discussing how to make Bassetlaw Today financially viable in the long term, and one option we’re considering is introducing a subscription model to help cover our costs.
We want to be open with you about these conversations so you’re aware that a fee may need to be introduced in the future. If that happens, we hope you’ll continue to stand with us and support the publication.
Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you read our next newsletter.
Justin Doddy, Editor
Bassetlaw Today
P.S. Your feedback about this newsletter is important to me. You can email me your feedback to news@bassettlawtoday.co.uk
