The hammer of justice has come down on scores of criminals at Leeds Crown Court this year, but only a few have been handed either life sentences or jail terms stretching into double figures.
From murder to rape, from paedophiles to terrorism and even people trafficking, these are the some of the most dangerous people to have been dealt with and removed from the streets for a lengthy spell.
Some have been given such long terms, it seems likely they will die behind bars, but few will mourn their loss.
19. Stephen Crawley and Kiefer Lee
Crawley (left) and Lee were both jailed for 17 years after they opened fire on a property with a 12-bore shotgun. Two pensioners living at the home in Pudsey dived for the floor as their window shattered from the blast. The two culprits were seen riding away on a motorcycle. It was eventually confirmed that they had been involved in a tit-for-tat drugs feud with another man who they said had previously shot at them. In an act of revenge, they had gone to the man’s flat which happened to be below the elderly couple’s. They both eventually admitted possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The weapon was never recovered. (pics from WYP)Photo: WYP
Dangerous sex predator Lee Belsham "rugby tackled" a dog walker and subjected her to a serious sexual assault in a pedestrian tunnel under the M62 at Knottingley. With her face down on the floor, he sat on her back and began to sexually assault her, touching her between her legs and putting his hands under her bra, repeatedly telling her that he would kill her if she screamed. The 38-year-old was later picked up on CCTV. He eventually admitted two counts of sexual assault and making threats to kill. He also admitted two incidents of indecent exposure on a previous occasions. He was given an extended 10-year jail sentence. (pic by WYP)Photo: WYP
Drugs kingpin Darren Winstanley who ran a major heroin operation from his home almost killed a man in a “frenzied and brutal” bloody knife attack. The "career criminal” was jailed for 20 years after he pleaded guilty to the drugs charge, and was found guilty after a trial of Section 18 wounding. He was on bail for dealing drugs when he went looking for the victim. They chased him through Seacroft and when he fell, 52-year-old Winstanley began the bloody assault, stabbing the man in 12 times in the face, neck and upper body. Five wounds were inflicted to his neck, including a a seven-cm-deep cut. (pic by WYP)Photo: WYP
Stephen Rayner (left), Cherie-Anne Rayner (centre) and Stephen Gibson were part of a gang of drug smugglers that imported £1.5 billion worth of cocaine in boxes of frozen chickens, with large quantities found in a flat in Leeds. Officers from a police organised crime unit seized 311 kilos of cocaine worth £31 million, and 35 kilos of methylamphetamine worth £7 million, also known as crystal meth, from addresses on Flaxton Street in Beeston and from Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury. The cocaine was brought into the country hidden within pallets of imported frozen chicken. A total of 318 pallets of chicken were imported, with an estimated 15.9 tons of cocaine, valued at £1.59 billion. Stephen Rayner admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and methamphetamine and was jailed for 20 years. Cherie Ann Rayner admitted the same and was jailed for 15 years. Gibson admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and was jailed for 12 years. (pics by WYP)Photo: Stephen Rayner, Cherie-Anne Rayner and Stephen Gibson
Monster Michael King was handed an 11-year extended jail sentence after being found guilty after a trial of repeatedly raping a 10-year-old girl. The 33-year-old was convicted of three counts of rape of a child under 13, four counts of sexual assault and one of inciting or engaging in sexual activity with a child. King, who is from the Farsley area, targeted the child over a series of months. A statement from the child's mother was presented the court and read: "It’s absolutely devastating. It’s an experience that can’t be undone or taken away. We have had to put our faith in the British justice system and it’s not been easy. What happened to her is simply horrifying." (pic by WYP)Photo: WYP
Drunken dad Matthew Rycroft walked away and abandoned his autistic son who he was killed by a motorist as they walked along the M62. He flipped his Audi Q5 courtesy car on the busy motorway then attempted to cross the live lanes with his 12-year-old son, Callum, who was fatally struck by a passing car. The 37-year-old from Harehills, who had spent the day drinking, did not even look back to check if what had happened to his son. He was jailed for 10 years after admitting manslaughter. (pic by WYP)Photo: Matthew Rycroft