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The organized crime group was “built on exploitation and greed”, Humberside Police said
Members of an organized crime group “built on exploitation and greed” which was responsible for distributing Class A drugs across Hull have been jailed for a combined total of over 20 years. The five accused, including a woman from Scunthorpe, admitted supplying class A drugs, namely cocaine and heroin. They were sentenced at Hull Crown Court on Monday.
It all started with a phone number when Humberside Police’s Kinetic Organized Crime Group team launched an investigation in March of this year into the number suspected of being used to distribute drugs across Hull. Louise King, 29, of Willoughby Road in Scunthorpe was given a three-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, for her part in the crime. King pleaded guilty to supplying Class A crack cocaine and Class A heroin.
David Lyddon, 47, of Princes Dock Street in Hull, “used intimidation and a web of willing co-workers to line his own pockets”, police said. He pleaded guilty to supplying Class A crack cocaine, and Class A heroin and was sentenced to six years behind bars.
Claire Broadbent, 43, of Hutt Street in Hull, was jailed for five years and three months after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A crack cocaine and Class A heroin. Reece Fullard, 36, of Stockleigh Close in Hull, was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to the same charge.
Gary Broadbent, 46, of Arncliffe Close in Hull, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A crack cocaine and Class A heroin. He received a three-year sentence suspended for two years.
The Kinetic Organized Crime Group team began investigating the suspicious phone number in the spring of this year. Inquiries revealed the line’s controller was taking text orders, directing people to specific locations and sending bulk advertisements using code words “often associated with an active drug line”, Humberside Police said.
Detectives looked at CCTV, where footage uploaded from the phone revealed David Lyddon as the person responsible for the device. The top contact on the device was Louise King, who was believed to be Lyddon’s partner.
Text exchanges between the two indicated that King was actively involved and aware of the crime with their discussion of buying new phones, loading the drug cart, keeping records of the orders and giving Lyddon access to her bank account to use the criminal network.
Police also found Reece Fullard participating in conversations regarding “reloading” drugs. It was shown by messages that on March 8, 2026, Fullard asked the controller of the line, Lyddon, for a reload to be delivered to an address where drugs were stored.
Another phone number was found in connection with the drug line. Claire Broadbent and Gary Broadbent used this number to discuss with their criminal associations the reloading of drugs and how much they could get for various amounts of money. It was also revealed that Lyddon was directing people interested in buying drugs to Claire’s home address.
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, several warrants and arrest attempts were executed at various addresses. During the search of the properties, drugs, special equipment, weapons and mobile devices were seized and all five defendants were arrested on suspicion of drug offences. Four days later they were charged and arrested.
Detective Constable Ross Markham from our Kinetic Northbank Organized Crime Group Team said: “Thanks to the meticulous work of our specialist Kinetic Organized Crime Group Team, a criminal network based on exploitation and greed has been dismantled.
“Lyddon used intimidation and a web of willing associates to line his own pockets, showing a complete disregard for the lives he destroyed. By cutting off this drug line, we stopped a significant volume of heroin and crack cocaine from reaching our streets.
“Organised criminal gangs bring nothing but misery to our communities, exploit vulnerable people to do their dirty work and fuel wider violent crime and anti-social behavior in our neighbourhoods.
“This investigation shows that no matter how complex a network thinks it is, we have the specialist skills to track every single person, from the street-level runners to the controllers at the very top.
“Monday’s result sends an unmistakable message that if you bring harmful drugs into our communities, we will do everything we can to remove your network. Police action is only part of the solution, and I urge anyone with information about drug dealing or suspicious activity in their area to contact us.”
Humberside Police said to report information about drug crime, talk to police officers if you see them out and about. You can also contact Humberside Police via the non-emergency number 101. Always call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
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