Convicted killer’s ‘jury tampering’ plot to derail £45m drug smuggling trial from prison cell
Convicted Killer’s Scheme to Disrupt £45m Drug Trial Unveiled from Prison Cell
William Todd, a former inmate who once fled custody using a homemade grappling hook, masterminded a bid to sabotage a high-profile £45m drug smuggling case. The plot aimed to undermine the trial by falsely alleging jurors had accepted bribes, with the scheme orchestrated from within his prison cell.
Convicted Killer’s Past
Todd, 61, was previously handed two life sentences in 2001 for attempting to kill his former partner Arthur de Sousa and fatally shooting his bodyguard in Pangbourne, Berkshire. His escape from Winchester prison involved cutting through the bars of his cell, scaling a 30ft wall with a rope ladder, and slipping away unnoticed—only to be recaptured days later.
The Escape
While serving time at Coldingley prison, Todd used a secret mobile phone under the alias Ari Gold, inspired by the Hollywood agent from *Entourage*. This device enabled him to communicate with accomplices and direct a conspiracy to collapse the ongoing trial against a gang accused of smuggling 448kg of MDMA to Australia hidden in an industrial digger.
Plot to Undermine Trial
The trial’s integrity was threatened when false claims surfaced, accusing jurors of being bribed up to £20,000 to acquit the defendants. These allegations were sent to Kingston Crown Court and police via encrypted platforms, casting doubt on the jury, staff, and legal representatives. However, the scheme unraveled as some jurors had already been discharged, and names were misspelled, revealing it as a deliberate attempt to derail proceedings.
Unveiling the Deception
Danny Brown, 58, inadvertently exposed the plot by sharing a photo of his French Bulldog Bob on EncroChat. The image displayed a dog tag with a phone number linked to Stefan Baldauf, 66, who was later implicated in the conspiracy. The scheme also involved a forged passport and a woman in Romania paid 2,000 euros to endorse a fabricated legal statement, further complicating the case.
Judge’s Verdict
Prosecutor Charlotte Hole highlighted the plot as a “dishonest attempt to derail the trial,” noting its potential to harm innocent participants. Todd, Avard, and the unnamed accomplice admitted to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, with Avard receiving 12 months and the other 3 years and 4 months. Judge Gregory Perrins called the effort “a professional, persistent, and sophisticated attack on the justice system,” emphasizing its aim to weaken the conviction of organized crime members.
“This case shows the remarkable lengths that high-harm criminals will go to cheat justice,” said Steve Ahmet of the NCA’s Anti-Corruption Unit. “Our team built a rock-solid case against them to ensure accountability.”
Brown and Baldauf were each sentenced to 26 years for their roles in the drug trafficking operation. The trial’s collapse was averted through the meticulous evidence gathered, proving the conspiracy’s falsity and preserving the convictions of those involved in the international smuggling ring.
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