Sulking drug dealers refuse to attend court as a financial order is made

John Paul Hodgson, who is serving a nine year jail term for supplying drugs, headed a criminal empire known to drug users in Blackpool as 'Scouse Macca', assisted by his right hand man, Trevor Pollard, who is also serving nine years.

The gang was responsible for 18,000 separate deals in less than six months in the resort.

But it was brought down by Operation Kaleidoscope, a police probe which ran from August to December 2015.

In less than six months Lancashire Police were able to work out how 'Scouse Macca' supplied their customers through the use of a single main telephone number that users would associate with the group and call to order drugs.

During the course of the operation the mobile phone spent the vast majority of its time in Liverpool.

After placing an order for drugs through the ‘Macca’ number the buyer would be directed to a location to meet with the ‘runner’ who would then supply them with drugs.

The ‘Macca’ phone, mainly controlled by Hodgson received on average of 357 calls a day to buy drugs.

Trevor Pollard was the middle man for the gang and would courier drugs and cash between Liverpool and Blackpool. At times he too would be in possession of the ‘Macca’ phone.

During a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Preston's Sessions House Court - which both men refused to attend - Judge Jonathan Gibson found both had benefitted to the tune of £365,920.

Hodgson, 33, of Marmion Avenue, Liverpool, must pay back £8,680 or faces six more months in prison.

Pollard, 34, of Butleigh Road, Liverpool, had no assets and must pay a nominal order of £1, though the authorities can revisit his finances in future.