Murderer who ran Gosport Essex Boys drugs ring from Dovegate prison writes to judge to explain why he organised gang from prison cell

KILLER Liam Whitnell told a judge organising a drug gang from prison 'made me feel alive again'.
By Ben Fishwick
Published 26th Mar 2021, 16:11 GMT
Updated 26th Mar 2021, 16:14 GMT
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The 36-year-old killer's letter was obtained by The News after judge Timothy Mousley QC agreed to this newspaper's request under open justice rules.

Whitnell, who was handed nine years for leading the Essex Boys gang from his cell at HMP Dovegate, said he at first found it hard to accept his 24-year minimum term for murder as he was just the 'driver' in the gang attack in 2011.

Read More
Jail for Gosport drugs gang run by convicted killer from his cell at private Ser...
Members of the Essex Boys gang have been jailed for dealing crack cocaine and heroin in Gosport. Top row, from left - Jacob James, John Parham, Rayhaan Hoque. Bottom, from left, Lance Burt, Luke Goldsmith, and drugs seized by police Hampshire police were unable to release a picture of Liam WhitnellMembers of the Essex Boys gang have been jailed for dealing crack cocaine and heroin in Gosport. Top row, from left - Jacob James, John Parham, Rayhaan Hoque. Bottom, from left, Lance Burt, Luke Goldsmith, and drugs seized by police Hampshire police were unable to release a picture of Liam Whitnell
Members of the Essex Boys gang have been jailed for dealing crack cocaine and heroin in Gosport. Top row, from left - Jacob James, John Parham, Rayhaan Hoque. Bottom, from left, Lance Burt, Luke Goldsmith, and drugs seized by police Hampshire police were unable to release a picture of Liam Whitnell
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But he told the Portsmouth Crown Court judge he was, in his words, 'stupied and sorry' and added he was not trying to 'make excuses'.

In the letter he said: 'In 2018 when I took over my friends roll in supplying the crack cocain ... I was lost mentally and this took my mind away from these Bars and walls, it made me feel alive again but it was short lived, because now reality has come back around and and I’ve lost everything I worked towards, my security clearance, my progression, I have been moved prison twice and placed in segregation I don’t blame anyone but myself.

'Being locked up 23 (and a half) hours per day due to covid and no being allowed to see friends or family has been tough, my mental health suffered and catching covid myself and not being able to breath, watching friends and family passr away had made this sentence much more difficult.But I’m now using my time in a positive way by giving myself the right knowledge and skill to leave the life of crime behind.

'I’m currently studying Anger and Aggression management level 2 and Business Studies level 3.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

'I’ve also completed a number of other courses which I have included the certificates.I know because of this I will get knocked back on my parol and I wont come out of prison for a very long time.'I am sorry for everything my actions have caused.'

Whitnell said his sentence had been 'incredibly hard to cope with' but added: 'But over time and by doing courses I have learnt to understand how the victims family are feeling and that he might be alive if I didnt drive my co-defendants that night.'