Six handed custodial sentences totalling 51 years for conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm

Six people charged with conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm following an incident in Ipswich in August 2022 have been sentenced to a total of 51 years in prison.

Police were called to Ulster Avenue at 7.25pm on Wednesday 10 August to reports of threatening behaviour in which threats to kill were made towards an individual.

Officers attended and a short time later six teenage males were arrested within Westbourne Park. A subsequent search of the area resulted in the discovery of two long machete-style knives being retrieved from bushes where the group had been seen to run past on their way to the park. 

Six people, at the time aged between 16 and 19, were charged with conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm.

The group, who all pleaded guilty at a previous hearing, were sentenced today, Thursday 5 October, at Norwich Crown Court, to the following custodial sentences:

Shakur O’Connor, 20, of Packard Avenue, Ipswich - nine years. 

Malaki Greaves-O’Connor, 20, of Highfield Road, Felixstowe - nine years. 

Braydon Byng, 19, of Newnham Court, Ipswich - eight years and six months.

Tiago Dos Santos, 19, of Belle Vue Road, Ipswich - nine years.

Two 17-year-olds from Ipswich, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also sentenced for conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm. One was given a eight-year custodial sentence while the other was handed a seven-and-a-half year sentence.  

Tackling gang related activity remains a key priority for the constabulary and wider community. Under Operation Hull, a bespoke investigation team exists to ensure a renewed and sustained focus on the violence and associated criminality perpetrated by gangs. 

Working alongside the Operation Hull team, detectives were able to prove the knife had been bought by O’Connor. Officers, with the support of experts, were also able to prove the other males’ involvement.

Following the sentencing DC Jack Evans said: “This incident and the subsequent sentence shows the police and the justice system’s zero-tolerance approach to violence in our county. 

“Seeing young people making threats to kill while handling such lethal weapons is extremely worrying. However, officers were quickly at the scene on the day and this response on top of the investigative work carried out by numerous different teams afterwards, has led to this successful conviction.

“If you need support leaving a gang or you are concerned for a friend or family member, advice is available.” 

Superintendent Andy Martin added: “These sentences are the result of the relentless pursuit of those involved in gang criminality and youth violence. We will do whatever we can to identify those involved, make Ipswich an uncomfortable place for them to carry out their criminal activity and look to secure prosecutions wherever possible. 

“The work being carried out by the Op Hull team alongside the many other units involved at Suffolk Constabulary, as well as the support from our partners, is having an impact and we are seeing reduced levels of violent crime in comparison to the previous summer. I would like to thank all those involved in making this positive change possible.”

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “The successful prosecution and sentencing of these individuals is to be welcomed by all of us bearing in mind the appalling circumstances that took place.

“Such levels of violence and intimidation must never be tolerated in Suffolk and as a society we must redouble our collective efforts to prevent anyone behaving like this.

“As PCC I will continue to do all I can through our extensive grants programme to work with other agencies including the charitable sector to support young people to make the right choices in life and stop the use of knives and the terrible consequences that often occur.

Councillor John Cook, Ipswich Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Communities and Sport, said: “I’m pleased that Suffolk police have been able to secure convictions for these dangerous criminals operating in the Ipswich area.

“These convictions are the result of tireless work to tackle violent crime in and around Ipswich with a zero-tolerance approach.”

Advice for those looking to leave a gang or for those you may be concerned about is available at: www.suffolk.police.uk/advice/gangs-–-information-and-advice/leaving-gang”

If you suspect drug dealing is taking place in your area or see anything suspicious or out of place, please tell us. You don’t have to be certain, just concerned. 

Report via the website www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/report-something/report-crime, call 101, or alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers to report anonymously – either online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Operation Hull is Suffolk Constabulary’s response to gang criminality and associated youth violence.