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| Drug dealer on run with legal aide A man convicted for his part in a major drugs ring is on the run with a 22-year-old woman who was part of his legal team. John Barber met Victoria Dudson, from Manchester, while she was working as a legal assistant for solicitors Draycott Browne, based in the city. It is reported that she is now four months pregnant. A group of men, including 35-year-old Barber, were convicted on Friday of drug offences relating to the ring and are due to be sentenced on Monday. Leigh Wright, a partner at Draycott Browne, said: "We know that she and John Barber were not involved at any time when she was in our employment. "It is certainly something that would have been subjected to disciplinary action if we had known of any relationship." Barber, from Darwen, Lancashire, was found guilty - along with three others - at Liverpool Crown Court of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs in the Bolton area. Another two men pleaded guilty before the trial and a seventh man was found not guilty. The six men are due to sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday. Barber was found guilty in his absence. Although a precise value could not be placed on the drugs ring, detectives believed millions of pounds were generated for the gang. A police spokeswoman said: "We still believe that Barber is in the company of 22-year-old Victoria Dudson from Manchester, who has not been seen since his disappearance." Despite evidence gained by police that the pair may have escaped to southern Spain, Greater Manchester Police believe he may have stayed in the Bolton area. Detective Inspector Gerry Donnellan said: "Although the evidence found at his address suggests Barber may have attempted to leave the country, he has exceptionally strong links to the Bolton area and we believe this may cause him to not travel too far. "Although we do not believe that Barber poses a threat to the public, he was one of the main directors of a large drug dealing operation and deserves to be punished for his involvement. The police investigation, codenamed Operation Waddington, first made inquiries into the cartel in August 1998. 21st January 2002 |
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