35 years for 'evil' gangster.

A GANGLAND boss who ordered the revenge murder of an innocent couple was jailed for 35 years yesterday.

Justice Colman Treacy said the 39-year-old drug baron, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was "ruthless, remorseless and utterly evil".

John Russell, 29, and Michael McNee, 21, were given life sentences of 30 years and 25 years for helping him to plot the slaughter of John and Joan Stirland.

John, 55, and Joan, 51, had fled to Trusthorpe, Lincolnshire, from Nottingham, where their son, Michael O'Brien, had killed a man.

A friend of the victim later died after being affected by the death.

The Stirlands' refuge was discovered and they were shot down by unknown gunmen hired by the gang boss, Russell and McNee, who were all convicted of conspiracy to murder.

The judge at Birmingham Crown Court said the evil acts were also an attempt by the gang boss to enhance his reputation.

CAPTION(S):

MURDERED: The Stirlands