When Lee Deakin came out of his house to fetch a phone charger from the boot of his car, a stranger armed with a bottle of acid was lying in wait for him. Only when he got to his vehicle did Mr Deakin realise that someone was crouched down behind him. And before he was able to ask "what are you doing?" his eyes were burning and his skin "felt like jelly". That attack in St Helens on 14 April 2019, whichcame very close to permanently blinding Mr Deakin, was carried out by hitman-for-hire Jonathan Gordon, a member of a north Liverpool street gang called the Deli Mob. Analysis of Gordon's gangland conversations revealed he was a man in demand to carry out similar attacks across the north-west of England. For a fee of up to £10,000, he was willing to maim and disfigure whoever his clients wanted him to. His services were advertised over Encrochat. The encrypted phone network, developed in about 2016, was almost exclusively being used by criminals three years later. Hundreds of criminals across the UK who believed their Encrochat communications were 100% secure have been brought to justice since the platform was hacked by Dutch and French police in late 2019. They shared their intelligence with British counterparts working in the National Crime Agency (NCA). Law enforcement agencies across Europe were able to secretly monitor criminal conversations until June 2020, when the company realised it had been compromised and alerted its users. For many criminals, though, that message came too late. Using the handle, or username, of ValuedBridge, Gordon had casual conversations with another user, AceProspect, who would become a priority target for the NCA. AceProspect was making a living by advertising military-grade weapons, including AK47 assault rifles and Uzi sub-machine guns, for sale to British crime groups. He was also having direct conversations with Gordon about blinding people outside their homes. The identity of AceProspect was revealed last week as Philip Waugh, from Warrington in Cheshire. While the 39-year-old was not charged with ordering the attack on Mr Deakin, he did discuss it with Gordon when planning how to carry out similar assaults. Waugh has now admitted conspiring to commit grievous bodily harm by hatching a plan to blind a Warrington man called Nathan Simpson in April 2020. He had also been charged with ordering Gordon to attack another man in Blackpool a few days earlier, but the Crown Prosecution Service agreed not to proceed with that case in light of Waugh's other guilty pleas. "Just need him blind and face melted," Waugh had messaged Gordon about Mr Simpson. Gordon spoke about his earlier attack on Mr Deakin, complaining that the St Helens man had "got to the sink" to wash his face and save his eyesight. This prompted Waugh to suggest Mr Simpson should be "stabbed in the leg". He also suggested Gordon should "double the dose" and said he also wanted Mr Simpson's partner to be blinded in the same attack. On Encrochat, Gordon sent pictures of metal canisters overflowing with acid, and the pair discussed plans to "cook" their targets. One attempt, on 6 April 2020, was abandoned when Gordon spotted CCTV cameras near Mr Simpson's home. The following day, as Gordon was preparing to drive from Liverpool to try again, police patrol officers approached him and caused him to flee and abandon his car. Gordon, who was also linked to a number of non-fatal shootings in Liverpool, was arrested in July 2020. He wasjailed for life with a minimum term of 24 yearsin June 2022 after a jury convicted him of offences including grievous bodily harm and possessing firearms with intent to endanger life. One of the charges referred to a "gunfight" in a residential street in Walton, Liverpool. While nobody was injured in that incident, a bullet crashed into the home of an elderly couple. At the time, Waugh was in Spain, where he had been co-ordinating an operation to smuggle firearms into the UK. According to the NCA, Waugh's right-hand man Robert Brazendale, from Thelwall in Warrington, would then be responsible for storing the weapons and passing them on to customers. Brazendale was charged with firearms offences in November 2020 after NCA search teams dug up his back garden and found several semi-automatic handguns. He was initiallyjailed in February 2022for 11 years and three months for dealing firearms which had been on Waugh's guns list. His sentence was reduced on appeal to 10 years. Elusive Waugh was eventually caught in Spain in September 2024, hiding in a villa in Benahavis, Malaga. After his arrest by Guardia Civil, Waugh was extradited to the UK. The NCA said it and other agencies recovered two AK-47s, Uzi and Skorpion machine guns, a Grand Power automatic pistol, a Smith and Wesson pistol, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Waugh, and Brazendale, who was charged in prison with new firearms offences committed with Waugh, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court last week. They both admitted ordering the acid attack on Mr Simpson and firearms offences. Both will be sentenced at the same court in June. The NCA's senior investigating officer, Ben Rutter, said: "The NCA worked for five years to trace, locate and bring Philip Waugh to justice under Operation Venetic. "He supplied an array of terrifying automatic and semi-automatic weaponry to offenders who were planning horrific crimes. "He didn't care at all about who might be killed in the process - he only cared about money. "He is an extremely dangerous offender." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside onBBC Soundsand follow BBC Merseyside onFacebook,X, andInstagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight onBBC iPlayer.
Gangster who ordered acid attacks caught after five-year hunt
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Gang Leader Linked to Acid Attacks Captured After Years on the Run"
Bbc News
7.4
TruthLens AI Summary
Lee Deakin's life was irrevocably altered on April 14, 2019, when he was ambushed by hitman Jonathan Gordon, a member of the Deli Mob gang, who attacked him with acid while he was retrieving a phone charger from his car. The attack nearly blinded Deakin and was part of a broader pattern of violence orchestrated by Gordon, who was willing to maim individuals for a fee of up to £10,000. Investigations revealed that Gordon utilized the encrypted Encrochat network to communicate and plan these assaults. Following the hacking of Encrochat by Dutch and French police, which exposed numerous criminals across the UK, Gordon's conversations were monitored, leading to the identification of his accomplice, Philip Waugh. Waugh was involved in discussions with Gordon about committing similar acid attacks and was ultimately charged with conspiring to commit grievous bodily harm against another target, Nathan Simpson, in 2020, as well as for his involvement in the planning of an attack on a third individual in Blackpool.
The investigation into Gordon and Waugh's criminal activities spanned five years, culminating in significant arrests and the recovery of numerous weapons, including military-grade firearms. Gordon was sentenced to life in prison in June 2022 for multiple offences, including grievous bodily harm, while Waugh, who was apprehended in Spain in September 2024, faced charges related to the acid attacks and firearms offences. Both men were found guilty of orchestrating a series of violent crimes that highlighted the dangerous underbelly of gang activity in the UK. The National Crime Agency (NCA) emphasized the severity of their actions, with NCA officer Ben Rutter describing Waugh as an extremely dangerous offender who prioritized profit over human life. The court will determine their sentences in June, reflecting the serious nature of their crimes and the impact on their victims.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on a significant criminal case involving Lee Deakin, who was the victim of a violent acid attack orchestrated by hitman Jonathan Gordon. This incident highlights the ongoing issues surrounding gang violence and organized crime in the UK. The story illustrates the dangers posed by criminal enterprises, particularly those that utilize modern technology to facilitate their operations.
Motivation Behind the Publication
The reporting appears to aim at raising awareness regarding the severe threat posed by gang-related violence and the use of extreme measures, such as acid attacks. By detailing the circumstances surrounding Deakin's attack and the subsequent capture of Gordon, the article serves to inform the public about the risks of violent crime and the measures law enforcement is taking to combat it.
Community Perception
This news piece likely intends to create a sense of urgency and concern within the community regarding gang activities. By portraying the brutal nature of the crime and the existence of hireable hitmen, it can evoke fear and a desire for more robust policing and community safety measures.
Information Concealment
While the article is detailed, it does not delve into the broader socio-economic factors contributing to gang violence, such as poverty, lack of opportunities, or systemic issues. This omission could be seen as an effort to simplify a complex issue, focusing primarily on the sensational aspects of the crime rather than offering a holistic view.
Validity of the News
The reliability of the information presented seems high, given the context of law enforcement investigations and the documented use of encrypted communication by criminals. The involvement of the National Crime Agency lends credibility to the narrative, indicating that the story is based on real events and police findings.
Public Sentiment
The narrative targets audiences concerned with safety and crime prevention, particularly those living in urban areas affected by gang violence. It may resonate more strongly with communities that have experienced similar incidents or those advocating for stricter crime control measures.
Economic and Political Implications
This story could influence public opinion on resource allocation for law enforcement and community safety programs. Concerns about gang violence may lead to increased funding for police initiatives or community outreach programs aimed at preventing crime.
Community Support Dynamics
The article is likely to resonate with communities that prioritize safety and seek more robust measures against crime. Groups advocating for victim rights and community safety will find common ground in this narrative.
Stock Market Reactions
While this specific story may not directly impact stock markets, it could contribute to the perception of safety in certain areas, potentially affecting local businesses and real estate values. Companies involved in security services or law enforcement technology may find increased interest as the public pushes for enhanced safety measures.
Global Context
The topic of gang violence and the use of technology for criminal activities reflects broader global trends, especially concerning organized crime. As technology evolves, there are parallels in other countries facing similar challenges, making this issue relevant in discussions about international crime prevention strategies.
Potential Use of AI in News Writing
It's possible that AI tools were utilized in crafting the narrative, especially in organizing the information and ensuring clarity. The structured approach to presenting the facts could suggest the use of AI models that assist in summarizing complex information for easier comprehension. However, the emotional depth and human experience reflected in the victim's story suggest that human input played a crucial role in the narrative's development.
There may be elements of manipulation in emphasizing the violent nature of the crime, which could skew public perception toward viewing all gang-related activities as inherently dangerous. This framing might distract from discussing preventive measures or root causes of such violence.
In conclusion, this article provides a detailed account of a serious crime and its implications, while also raising questions about the broader societal issues surrounding gang violence and the criminal justice system's responses.