Robert Dawes, a Nottinghamshire drug lord, was sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating the murder of Dutch teacher Gerard Meesters in 2002. Dawes, already serving 22 years for cocaine trafficking, was found guilty after a trial in Amsterdam.
A Nottinghamshire drugs kingpin has been sentenced for ordering the brutal murder of a Dutch teacher more than 20 years ago. Gerard Meesters, 52, was shot dead in the hallway of his home in Groningen, the Netherlands on November 28, 2002. Prosecutors in the Netherlands said Daniel Sowerby, who was jailed for life in 2006 for shooting Mr Meesters, had done so on the orders of Sutton-in-Ashfield drug lord Robert Dawes.
Dawes has been serving a 22-year jail term he was given in 2018 for trafficking more than a tonne of cocaine from Venezuela to France, and was further sentenced to a life imprisonment by a Dutch court for his involvement in Mr Meesters' murder on Friday, January 10. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) North Netherlands said Dawes had been the 'intellectual mastermind' behind the brutal murder. They added the 'ruthless criminal' had targeted the innocent father after sending gang members to his home days before. Five of Dawes' associates ordered Mr Meesters to call a Spanish number and share the whereabouts of his sister, but he did not know the location of his sibling. The school worker went to the police, believing the threats related to his sister possibly hiding money or drugs, and was shot eight times a few days later. The OM said the killing was 'meant to terrify', as the 52-year-old had no links to Dawes' gang and was killed solely to instill fear in others. While an initial investigation into who ordered the murder resulted in nothing, the case was reopened in 2017 at the urging of Mr Meesters' children and through the work of a Dutch journalist. Dawes, who denied organising the murder after being charged in 2021, was found guilty after a trial in Amsterdam in November. Prior to his sentencing the OM said: 'Although the suspect has not previously been convicted of murder, the OM deems life imprisonment fitting, partly because the suspect has lived his entire life as a ruthless criminal, amassing significant wealth. 'Since 2002, Gerard Meesters’ relatives have been trapped in a horrific ordeal. They have witnessed how their completely innocent father was murdered by a criminal organization.
DRUG DEALER MURDER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE NETHERLANDS LIFE IMPRISONMENT
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Scots Drugs Kingpin Jailed for 13 YearsColin Wright, a 38-year-old from Motherwell, Scotland, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for leading a drugs gang that trafficked cocaine, heroin, and manufactured amphetamine on an industrial scale.
Read more »
Kiena Dawes found 'covered in blood' days before her death, court told'She was covered in blood, on her hands, on her face. She was upset and she was crying.'
Read more »
'Fairy tale turned to nightmare' for Kiena Dawes who took own life, court told'She just said the first six months were a fairy tale but then it turned into a nightmare. Those were her exact words. Horrendous domestic violence. Horrendous physical abuse.'
Read more »
Kiena Dawes trial hears claim fiancé made 'Ferne McCann acid attack threat'Reality star's ex Arthur Collins was jailed for an acid attack in 2017
Read more »
Kiena Dawes' relationship was 'a recipe for disaster', jury told'The ill-fated relationship was beset with problems'
Read more »
Jury Told Kiena Dawes' Relationship Was 'A Recipe for Disaster'A jury has been told that the relationship between Kiena Dawes and her partner Ryan Wellings was 'a recipe for disaster' as the defense argues in his trial for the alleged murder of Kiena.
Read more »