Perry Culshaw, a drug and gun dealer, received a 19-year sentence after fleeing to Portugal and then surrendering.
Culshaw, 31, is from Bootle. He ran off to Europe in 2020. French police broke into the EncroChat network. He gave himself up, knowing he could not escape, and then spent 23 days in custody before being brought back to the UK.
Culshaw worked with Darren Herlihy and Mark Nolan. They sourced and sold drugs plus guns. The National Crime Agency took them down. Herlihy, 55, used the handles “Robust Bronze” and “Master Castle,” while Nolan operated under the name “Jerry Coke.”
Nolan sold guns for another user. He bought a Tec-9 with 200-400 bullets, a Star 9 with 50 bullets, and a Walther PPK plus 50 bullets.
He sold those guns and bullets to Herlihy. Herlihy then gave the guns to other criminals. Herlihy also dealt 2kg of heroin and 136kg of cannabis. Nolan dealt at least 22.5kg cocaine, 57kg cannabis, and 3kg heroin.
Culshaw’s lawyer, Paul Becker, spoke in court, saying Culshaw’s sentence would be long. He added that Culshaw had a hard childhood, as his parents both used heroin.
Becker stated that Culshaw had no guidance. Culshaw’s uncle kidnapped him at age 13, kept him for days, and beat him. This sent him down the wrong path, and he is sorry, knowing the impact of drugs.
Becker said the weapons were like a military arsenal, and that owning weapons differs from using them. Culshaw knows he did wrong and knows what penalty he will get.
Culshaw admitted to weapon and drug crimes. He wore a grey tracksuit in court and shook his head when learning of his 19-year sentence.
Nolan got 20 years prior, and Herlihy received a sentence of 12 years. Judge Simon Medland KC sentenced Culshaw, stating that he was an upscale drug dealer who would get deadly firearms if needed.
The judge stated that drugs destroy lives and that courts see this every week. Drugs corrode society, break up families, and devastate poor areas.
Drug dealers are often ready to use guns. The region has suffered from deadly weapons. Organized criminals like Culshaw caused this devastation.
Culshaw thought he was untouchable and spoke openly about his trade. He fled, but surrendered once he realized escape was impossible.