Successful businesswoman and semi-pro football player who was discovered to be an accountant for a criminal gang cried out in shock as she was being sent to jail yesterday.
Faye Dunn, 38, reportedly had a variety of businesses under her belt, including a restaurant and a children’s play area.
But the mother of two is now starting a sentence that will last over four years in jail.
Despite evidence suggesting that her money laundering activities started in December 2019, Dunn, a former England under-19s footballer, became embroiled in a million-pound cannabis trafficking scheme as her commercial endeavours started to suffer from the effects of the epidemic.
According to testimony given at Liverpool Crown Court, her father Michael Dunn, 68, participated in the drug dealing and supply business on his daughter’s behalf, acting “below the level” of his own daughter.
As a “measure of kindness,” the court sentenced Michael Dunn to two years in jail with a two-year suspension.
EncroChat, a site for encrypted conversations that is often utilised by criminals, was used by them.
She was characterised in messages as “involved in the supply and manufacture of cannabis,” “accountant for an organised criminal operation,” and “smuggling cash to Spain.” She boarded a ship from Portsmouth to Santander with cash concealed in her pants.
She emailed a “picture of what seemed to be a check list or accounting record” on April 2 to a user by the name of LedZeppelin, indicating a total revenue of £1,155,548 plus extra cash made in Spain.
In addition, the balance sheet listed expenditures of £431,700, including £100,000 for a home, $25,000 for vehicles, a £21,500 watch, and £1,360 for expensive apparel.
Twenty years ago, Dunn was a bright young football prospect who was selected to play for England’s youth team.
Dunn, a well-known character in Huyton, Liverpool, founded Onside Sports Academy after hanging up her boots.
The community interest firm assisted young players released by clubs while they pursued professional careers, preventing them from losing their way and ensuring they found productive work.
She would later have a number of directorships, including this one. Interests in a law firm and a recruiting firm are listed on Companies House.
A famous children’s play centre and a restaurant were also part of her business empire. She also has a stake in a supplier of epoxy resin flooring over in Spain.
Lockdowns and its effects in the beginning of 2020, Covid-19, caused Dunn’s enterprises to deteriorate.
Despite the fact that the evidence showed that Dunn’s money laundering activities started in December 2019, Liverpool Crown Court heard that this served as the impetus for Dunn’s involvement in the criminal underworld.
She used the alias StiffNinja to conduct her business on the secure messaging app EncroChat, which was widely used by criminals to conceal their transactions until it was breached by government agencies in 2020.
“She played an operational role within the drugs supply chain but appeared to have significant influence upon others in the chain, facilitating meetings between criminal associates in relation to the supply of controlled drugs,” said Nicola Daley, the prosecutor.
“She also instructed others to undertake tasks such as the collection and movement of packages of both drugs and cash.”
Significantly, she seems to have served as the organised crime group’s accountant and, when travelling overseas, hid not only her EncroChat device but also cash to avoid being discovered by law enforcement.
On June 13 of this year, Dunn, of Walpole Avenue in Whiston, was detained as part of Operation Venetic at Manchester Airport. She remained mute under interrogation but eventually pled guilty to conspiracy to provide cannabis and money laundering.
At different times throughout her sentence hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, the failed businesswoman was observed crying.
‘Intelligent, resourceful, compassionate, loving, giving and horribly flawed’ After being sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, Dunn sobbed and exclaimed, “I can’t believe it,” as she was escorted to the cells.
Sentencing, “It is vital to note to you and others the damage caused by trafficking cannabis,” Judge David Potter stated.
The effects of cannabis on the brain may be powerful and long-lasting.
Recent occurrences in this city demonstrate how innocent individuals may get entangled in the cycle of violence practised by organised criminal organisations.
Simply said, cannabis dependence destroys life.
You both voluntarily entered into this exchange with the only goal of receiving a significant cash benefit.
I acknowledge that you are a lady of essentially excellent character who is also a very accomplished, driven, and brilliant athlete, businesswoman, and mother of kids who do well in school.
“Due to the coronavirus outbreak, your enterprises failed, leading you to this trade.” You used your impressive managerial abilities to the drug trade.
“It is tragic to watch a young lady get a jail term after living a life filled with accomplishments, both past and present.
When you started taking part in severe organised crime, you should have been considering your two young children.
Father Michael Dunn, 68, handled and supplied medicines on behalf of his kid as part of the operation.
The prosecution’s argument, according to Ms. Daley, is that Michael Dunn willingly handled, moved, and supplied cannabis for his daughter Faye.
He also met up with other aliases and set up meetings to transfer money, according to the report.
Faye Dunn questioned her father in a message she wrote him on March 28, 2020: “You believe you can relocate five trees from near you over to me pal, or too risky?”
Not tonight, highways are too silent, he retorted. is possible tomorrow.
She wrote to VigilantSmith, a user, saying: “Will bring the trees and collect the dough but have to be near Deeside, tell him.” on the same day.
I’ll pass your friend from Wrexham the woods and get the money if he can bring it to anywhere close to where I reside.
Michael Dunn has been convicted 23 times before for 39 offences. He was imprisoned in the Netherlands in 1986 for burglary, and he was eventually deported.
The pensioner was subsequently charged with cocaine importation and sentenced to nine years in prison in Portugal in 2009.
This happened when he was apprehended while bringing 2.5kg of marijuana into Spain in a vehicle.
In addition to having mobility and cardiovascular problems, he is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, according to his defence attorney William England, who also spoke in court.
He is no longer a youthful guy, in fact, the reverse, Mr. England said.
The crimes were committed roughly three years ago. This defendant is aware of his involvement in the plot.
He served as a facilitator and was undoubtedly compensated with a little sum of money. Financially, he was in a dire situation.
As a “measure of kindness,” the court sentenced Michael Dunn to two years in jail with a two-year suspension.
The court is shocked that you have resumed criminal behaviour in your late 60s, Judge Potter said. You performed below your daughter’s standard.
“You were ready to move about under lockdown limitations to manage the supply of kilogrammes of cannabis on behalf of others.” You are not at all in excellent health.
The slightest of margins will determine whether your sentence is suspended. I’ll never forget the day I handed you this sentence with probation.