Dealer who used blow torch to torture runners has ASBO appeal quashed

A notorious and violent drug dealer has been ordered to stay out of Hounslow after his appeal against his ASBO was denied.

Kamal Wright, who beat up and tortured drug runners who lost drugs or money during his reign of terror, received an Anti-Social Behaviour Order, which banned him from entering Hounslow for five years.

Wright appealed against it, but on April, 13, a judge sitting at Isleworth Crown Court dismissed it.

Det Sgt Thomas Bowen, ASBO team leader for Hounslow Police, said, "This is an excellent result for residents and visitors to the London borough of Hounslow and neighbouring boroughs and assists us with reducing the fear of crime. Police believe Kamal was responsible for forcing young people to deal drugs for him. This is another example of the value of ASBO to restrict the movements of persons causing a nuisance to our community."

Cllr Phil Andrews, Hounslow Council’s lead member for housing and community safety, said, “Hounslow Community Safety Partnership, a collaboration of agencies working together for a safer Hounslow, including Hounslow Council, is pleased this ASBO has been upheld. We hope by banning this man from the borough for five years it will provide some reassurance to those who have been affected by his actions and lead to a reduction in drug crime."

Wright, who supplied Class A drugs in Hounslow, recruited teenaged robbers and vulnerable young people to work as runners by offering them the chance of earning up to £100 a day.

Runners who lost Wright's drugs or money were assaulted and sometimes tortured. The runners are too sacred of Wright to substantiate the allegations of assault.

Wright has received a variety of sentencing outcomes as a result of his offending, ranging from Community Rehabilitation Orders to an 18-month prison term. None of these have curbed his violent and anti-social tendencies.

An ASBO was successfully applied for last September, however Wright submitted an appeal against it. On April 13, following a three day appeal hearing at Isleworth Crown Court, His Honour Judge Powles QC upheld the ASBO and dismissed the appeal.

The order will remain in force for five years.

The Court ordered that Wright is prohibited from –
• Assaulting, abusing, threatening or engaging in any behaviour which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any person not of the same household as himself within the London borough of Hounslow, Richmond-upon-Thames, Ealing and Hammersmith.
• Remaining on any premises in the London boroughs of Hounslow, Richmond upon Thames, Ealing and Hammersmith after being asked to leave by a person or persons with authority or responsibility for those premises.
• Entering the London Borough of Hounslow apart from attending court, a police station or solicitors by prior appointment.

April 19, 2007