On-the-run crime mum 'changed name, bought boat and had doctor's ID and scrubs' (original) (raw)

The head of a family-based crime gang who spent 14 months on the run from the police was found with fake doctor's ID and a set of medical scrubs when she was arrested, a court has heard. Lynne Leyson went to ground after being convicted of being the driving force in a major drug dealing operation prompting a large scale investigation to find her which spanned the UK and reached into Ireland and Spain.

Swansea Crown Court heard that after giving the authorities the slip for a total of 429 days the fugitive was finally arrested back at her family home in Carmarthenshire and when detained was found to be in possession of items which were the "subject of some concern" including an NHS lanyard in the name of a consultant called Lynne Bailey, medical scrubs, a stethoscope, and what appeared to be details about patients.

In May last year Leyson was convicted alongside her husband Stephen and son Samson of conspiracy to supply drugs and was granted bail ahead of her sentencing. She subsequently failed to attend three sentencing hearings and on September 15 was sentenced in absence to nine years in prison. She was finally arrested on September 16 this year after 14 months at large and appeared at the court the following day where she was committed to prison to begin her sentence.

Ieuan Rees, prosecuting, told the court that a "very, very extensive" and resource-intensive investigation was carried out to try to locate the defendant during the months she was on the run. He said the investigation including examining movements of vehicles associated with the Leyson family, regular Border Agency checks, an investigation into telecommunication usage and financial transactions, checks with NHS databases, and checks with the Department for Work and Pensions. He said addresses associated with the Leysons across the Dyfed-Powys Police and South Wales Police areas were visited, and said Welsh police worked with multiple forces across England following reports of her possible whereabouts. He said one of the English forces detectives worked with was Sussex Police after intelligence suggested the fugitive had bought a sailing vessel which was moored in Brighton Marina. The barrister said during her time at large 53-year-old Leyson changed her name by deed pool to Caldicot, and he said detectives worked with Interpol to make checks in Spain and Ireland following reports she had gone abroad.

The court heard that after several weeks of tracking vehicle movements, travel arrangements and telecoms use the defendant was arrested at the family smallholding in the village Capel Dewi on September 16. The barrister said items which were the "subject of some concern" where found in the possession of the defendant including an NHS lanyard in the name of a consultant called Lynne Bailey, a stethoscope, medical scrubs, and what appeared to be details of possible patients. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here

Lynne Leyson, of Pibwr Fawr Farm, Capel Dewi, Carmarthen, pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to court when she appeared in the dock via videolink from prison. Hywel Davies, for Leyson, said the mitigation he could put forward for the defendant was extremely limited. He said they were his instructions that the reason Leyson was at the address in Carmarthenshire address was to say goodbye to her family before handing herself in, and said they were his instructions that the NHS lanyard and scrubs found on arrest were for a fancy dress party and were not used to evade the authorities.

Judge Catherine Richards said Leyson's absconsion was clearly "deliberate, planned and sophisticated" and said finding the defendant had required a good many police resources. She said offence was a serious one as it undermined people's confidence in the justice system. With a one-third discount for her guilty plea Leyson was sentenced to two months in prison to run consecutively to the nine years she is currently serving.

The Leysons ran a criminal network from their compound in Capel Dewi near Carmarthen that was supplying significant quantities of cocaine and cannabis across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. When police raided the property in October 2021 they uncovered more than half a kilo of cocaine with a street value of up to £60,200 and 1.4kg of cannabis with a street value of approximately £15,600, along with more than £17,000 in cash. Police also found a semi-automatic pistol - an Italian model "Kimar 85 Auto" 9mm self-loading weapon - which belonged to Stephen Leyson. The pistol is thought to be the first handgun of its kind located and seized in the Dyfed-Powys Police area. The police investigation - codenamed Operation Hilston - then led officers to two dealers living in Pembrokeshire who had been selling drugs for the family, including one who went by the nickname Mr Pickles.

Stephen Paul Leyson, Lynne Leyson, and Samson Leyson - all of Pibwr Farm, Capel Dewi, Carmarthen - were convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs following a two-week trial. Stephen Leyson was also convicted of possession of a firearm. Stephen Leyson was sentenced to 11 years in prison, Lynne Leyson to nine years, and Samson Leyson to six years.

This interactive tool allows you to check the latest crime statistics for your area

Story Saved

You can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.