Gang forced me to house drug factory, says Midlands company boss

Landscaper Dwaine Williams said he was too scared to go to the police after being approached by the gang, Stafford Crown Court heard.

The court was told that a cannabis factory was discovered in Williams' rented storage facility after a fire on the Birch business park, Cannock.

Williams, aged 29, of Newport Road, Hinstock, admitted permitting premises to be used for the production of cannabis.

In a basis of plea, he said he had no involvement with the cannabis, nor had any financial reward.

Giving evidence to back up his plea, he said he had been Mr Deakin's best friend and went to the trial of those accused of his murder.

"They told me they were putting this in my building. I had no other option than to let them carry on. With these people, there's no 'yes' or 'no', you just have to do what they say. If I said 'no', they could have done something to my mum or family."

When Miss Wendy Miller, prosecuting, asked him: "Who's this gang?", he replied: "Anslow's."

Asked if he had received any threats, he said: "Yes, I got told I would be dealt with, the exact words. If I went to the police they would find out, so I would be dealt with anyway."

The court heard that from November 2013, Williams was paying £519 a month to rent the premises to store the tools and materials for his landscaping business – Staffordshire Paving Company. On April 6 there was a fire at the business park which led to police discovering the cannabis factory at the rear.

Williams was released on bail for a pre-sentence report to be prepared, with a date yet to be fixed for his sentencing.

John Anslow, who was once one of the country's most wanted criminals after being sprung from a prison van, was cleared of organising the 2010 murder of Mr Deakin, who was blasted to death as he slept at his home in Chasetown.

Anslow was jailed for seven years for escaping prison and 22 years for a drugs conspiracy.