'Vain Crane' gives 18-word message to judge after being jailed for more than 10 years

A drug trafficker who hid behind the EncroChat handle "Vain Crane" told a judge "I'm so sorry for what I've done" as he was locked up for more than a decade.

Daniel Shepherd utilised the encrypted communications platform to trade wholesale quantities of heroin, cocaine and cannabis and was involved in the handling of nearly half a million pounds in dirty cash. His device was then passed on to his younger brother following his arrest.

Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday afternoon, Friday, that messages revealed when the network was infiltrated by the French police in 2020 showed the 32-year-old's involvement in the supply of 10kg of cocaine, 8kg of heroin and 2kg of cannabis, as well as the movement of nearly £500,000 in cash. Shepherd, of no fixed address but from Kirkdale, had 12 contacts stored on his Encro phone and was shown to have been in touch with nine of these associates.

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Matthew Conway, prosecuting, described how his brother Michael Shepherd "inherited" the account after his older sibling was arrested on May 10, 2020, on suspicion of driving while disqualified and possession of bladed articles in a public place. The defendant was said to have "operated below" the user of the handle "ZonePizza", who was later identified as being Lee McKune.

The 35-year-old, of no fixed address, was handed 12 years and three months in March this year. However, this sentence is being appealed by the crown.

Shepherd was also said to have "involved others in the operation", including tasking them with collecting drugs. He has a total of 32 previous convictions for 57 offences between 2009 and 2020.

Sam Parham, defending, highlighted concerns over the mental health of his client - who has been in custody since February 2022 - and told the court: "At times, Mr Shepherd may have been prone to exaggerating how easily he could come into possession of cocaine and heroin. He is doing jobs like picking up drugs on his motorbike."

Shepherd admitted conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis. Appearing via video link wearing a green Nike zip-up top, he was jailed for 11-and-a-half years.

Sentencing, Judge David Potter said: "You were attributed to Vain Crane by the most compelling evidence until May 10, when you had to cease the use of the EncroChat phone because you had been arrested on other matters. This ceased your involvement in this conspiracy, your EncroChat phone however seems to have been picked up by your brother.

"Although you have previous convictions, these are not for anything as serious as the offences with which you are about to be sentenced. A full account is taken of your mental health difficulties.

"You have suffered significant deficiency in your communications, largely due it seems to ADHD and other mental health difficulties. It has impacted how you are managing in custody, which I am sure is difficult.

"You know all too well the harm that is done to people, to families and the community by the sale and distribution of class A and B drugs. They blight the health of those addicted to drugs, they destroy families and they have a massive impact on the wider community in terms of criminality.

"By participating in a conspiracy to supply these drugs, you have committed very serious offences."

After learning his sentence, Shepherd replied: "Mr Potter, I'm so sorry for what I've done. Thank you for my sentence, I really am sorry."

He added to his counsel: "Thank you, Samuel. Thank you, sir."

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