Wolverhampton drugs gang boss Brendan Durnin jailed for 11 years

Brendan Durnin's life of crime funded a lavish lifestyle that included a £216,000 villa in Cyprus, a £72,500 holiday lodge in Wales and a £52,000 BMW X5. He also purchased expensive gifts including a £525 pair of shoes for his ex-partner Nikki Walsh.

Walsh, along with her 21-year-old son Kyle Walsh and their next-door neighbour Stuart Whyman had already pleaded guilty over their part in the drugs conspiracy.

During Durnin's trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, jurors were told that cocaine worth £22,000 was discovered in a police raid at Walsh's home in Shawbury Road, Park Village.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court this afternoon Judge Nicholas Webb said it was "apparent" that he played a leading role selling cocaine on the streets of the city.

He told him: "It is my view, having heard the evidence, that you played a leading role in this conspiracy and that it was you who supplied the drugs to Kyle Walsh and Stuart Whyman for the onward supply on to the streets.

"It was apparent that you were living quite an extravagant lifestyle during the period that this conspiracy was running."

Durnin, aged 49, of Griffiths Drive, Ashmore Park, had claimed his wealth stemmed from a booming car valeting business but a jury rejected the claims last week.

He flaunted his wealth around the region in his top-of-the-range BMW X5, wearing flash Rolex and Breitling watches and also spending his time holidaying at his villa.

Nikki Walsh, aged 42, told jurors that Durnin delivered the drugs to her home in the days before the raid and "forced" her to wrap them.

Nikki and Kyle Walsh and Whyman will be sentenced on December 18.

A Proceeds of Crime hearing against Durnin will take place on April 15.