Gangland thug back behind bars.

Notorious criminal jailed for assault and dangerous driving

A gangland thug, whose brother is notorious Tyneside hardman John Henry Sayers, is back behind bars today.

Michael Sayers, of Liddle Court, Westgate Road, has been jailed for dangerous driving and assaulting a police officer.

His family has a fearsome reputation, with elder brother John Henry a convicted armed robber.

Michael Sayers pleaded guilty to the offences at Newcastle Magistrates last week and has now begun a six-month prison sentence for his crimes.

The incident took place on January 31 between Portland Road and Milton Close in Sandyford, Newcastle.

JPs gave him the maximum six months in prison for the dangerous driving and a concurrent three-month sentence for the assault on the police officer.

He received an absolute discharge for using a vehicle with no insurance, driving otherwise in accordance with a licence, and failure to stop his motor vehicle.

Sayers was only released from jail in 2003 where he was sent for 12 years in 1996 after being convicted of conspiracy to blackmail.

Doncaster Crown Court heard how Sayers had tried to extort pounds 50,000 from a Tyneside businessman and threatened to shoot him. Sayer's other older brother Stephen, then 31, admitted the offence and was jailed for 10 years. He was released in 2002.

The court heard how the gang terrorised their victim whose family had to be put under 24-hour protection by police.

Michael Sayers, then a cocaine addict, had a reputation as an aggressive thug who was said in court to operate a protection racket in Newcastle pubs and clubs.

In 1993 he survived an assassination attempt when he was blasted by a gunman in a city pub.

John Henry Sayers, 41, was released from prison in 1999 after serving 11 years of a 15-year sentence for armed robbery.

In an interview in 2002, he said he wanted to be left alone to go straight. He was cleared of murdering Freddie Knights three years ago.

Their father, also named John, was shot in the throat at point-blank range in a Newcastle pub in 1995. He survived after driving himself to hospital for surgery.

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Publication:	Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England)
Date:	Mar 30, 2005
Words:	356
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