Five defendants all admitted supplying cocaine and heroin in a web that distributed the drugs across Hull
Claire Broadbent, David Lyddon and Reece Fullard(Image: Humberside Police)
Members of an organised crime group “built on exploitation and greed” which was responsible for distributing class A drugs across Hull have been sentenced to a combination of over 20 years in prison. Five defendants all admitted supplying cocaine and heroin in a web that distributed the drugs across Hull. They were sentenced at Hull Crown Court on Monday.
It all started with a telephone number, as Humberside Police ’s Kinetic Organised Crime Group Team launched an investigation in March of this year into the number that was suspected of being used to distribute drugs across the city. David Lyddon, 47, of Princes Dock Street in Hull, used “intimidation and a web of willing associates to line his own pockets”, police said. He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of 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 handed a five year and three month jail term after she pleaded 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 given three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the same charge.
Two more gang members had their sentences suspended. Louise King, 29, of Willoughby Road in Scunthorpe and Gary Broadbent, 46, of Arncliffe Close in Hull, each pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A crack cocaine, and class A heroin. They both received a three-year sentence suspended for two years.
The Kinetic Organised Crime Group Team began to investigate the suspicious phone number in the spring of this year. Enquiries revealed that the controller of the line was taking text orders, directing people to specific locations and sending bulk advertisements using code words “frequently associated with an active drugs line”, Humberside Police said.
Detectives looked at CCTV, where footage of the phone being topped up revealed David Lyddon as the person in charge of the device. The top contact on the device was Louise King, who was believed to be Luddon’s partner.
Text exchanges between the two indicated that King was actively involved and aware of the criminality with her discussing buying new phones, participating in reloading drug runners, keeping records of orders completed and giving Lyddon access to her bank account to be used for the criminal network.
Police also found Reece Fullard taking part in conversations relating to ‘reloading’ drugs. It was shown through messages that on 8 March 2026, Fullard asked the controller of the line, Lyddon, for a reload to be delivered to an address where drugs were stored.
Another telephone number was found to be in connection with the drugs line. Claire Broadbent and Gary Broadbent used this number to discuss with their criminal associates about reloading drugs and how much they could get for various amounts of money. It was also revealed that Lyddon would direct people interested in buying drugs to Claire’s home address.
On Thursday, 23 April 2026, several warrants and arrest attempts were executed at multiple addresses across the city. During searches of the properties, drugs, specialist 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 remanded into custody.
Detective Constable Ross Markham from the Kinetic Northbank Organised Crime Group Team said: “Thanks to the meticulous work of our specialist Kinetic Organised Crime Group Team, a criminal network built 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 was destroying. By cutting off this drugs line, we have stopped a significant volume of heroin and crack cocaine from reaching our streets.
“Organised criminal gangs bring nothing but misery to our communities, exploiting vulnerable individuals to do their dirty work and fuelling wider violent crime and antisocial behaviour in our neighbourhoods.
“This investigation shows that no matter how complex a network thinks it is, we have the specialist capabilities to track down every single person involved, 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 all we can to strip away 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, please speak to Humberside Police officers when you see them out and about. You can also contact us via the non-emergency number 101. Always call 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
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