Adam Lennon, 19, Harry Cairney, 20, and a 16-year-old boy were convicted of violent attacks on vulnerable young victims linked to organised drug crime in North Lincolnshire
A group of thugs operating within a drugs supply network tied to organised crime in North Lincolnshire subjected their victims to horrific exploitation and brutal violence. One individual endured a hammer attack and was forced to consume urine.
After a seven-day trial, jurors delivered guilty verdicts concerning two separate incidents occurring in August and October 2025. Humberside Police praised the courage shown by the victims in reporting what happened.
Adam Lennon, 19, from Hereward Place in Scunthorpe, was convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, maliciously administering a noxious substance with intent to injure, assault by beating, robbery and false imprisonment. He had already admitted being concerned in the supply of class A cocaine and class B cannabis.
Whilst charged with sexual assault, he was cleared of that offence.
A 16 year old youth, whose identity is protected by law, was convicted of false imprisonment. He had previously admitted robbery, common assault, and being concerned in the supply of class A cocaine, class B cannabis, and class C pregabalin, reports Grimsby Live.
Though charged with threatening a person with a bladed article, he was acquitted.
Harry Cairney, 20, from Buckingham Street North in Scunthorpe, faced charges of false imprisonment and assisting an offender relating to the October 2025 incident. He had, however, entered guilty pleas to all charges at an earlier court appearance.
Lee John McKenna, 20, from Laneham Street in Scunthorpe, faced charges including attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, maliciously administering a noxious substance with intent to injure, sexual assault on a male aged over 13, and attempting to cause a male aged over 13 to engage in sexual activity. He was acquitted of all charges, though he has subsequently been returned to custody relating to unconnected matters.
The initial incident emerged when officers became aware of video material spreading online from a premises associated with drug-related activity in Scunthorpe during August 2025. Evidence revealed that Adam Lennon had inflicted a brutal attack on a 19-year-old male at the location, where the victim endured assault with a hammer, was compelled to consume urine whilst being recorded, and was denied the ability to leave.
Humberside Police confirmed: “Our Criminal Investigation Department began conducting enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident and the individuals involved. Soon after, Lennon was arrested in connection with the violent assault and later bailed whilst further investigations were required.”
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Tom Kelly stated: “Following further information reported at a later date, the incident was re-examined by investigators. As part of those enquiries, detectives were able to recover additional digital evidence from mobile phones, including video footage, alongside new witness accounts.
“Whilst these enquiries were continuing, two months later in October 2025, we received a report that a 17-year-old boy had been exploited by the network to sell drugs. My team swiftly launched an investigation where it was established that Harry Cairney had instructed the teenage boy to come to his home address in a ploy to trap him.
“Once he arrived, Cairney prevented him from leaving whilst he was subjected to repeated violence and intimidation at the hands of Lennon and the 16-year-old boy. Thankfully, the 17-year-old later managed to escape and later reported what had happened.”
Following this disclosure, officers from the Kinetic Organised Crime Group Team initiated a thorough and delicate probe into the criminal network, collaborating closely with North Lincolnshire Council. The inquiry drew upon additional expertise from child criminal exploitation specialists, digital forensics units, and major crime squads to establish the complete extent of the gang’s activities.
Evidence collated from mobile devices, witness statements, crime scene examinations, call data scrutiny and expert drug testimony allowed investigators to construct a robust prosecution case for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), who subsequently authorised numerous charges against the perpetrators.
Lennon and Cairney are being held on remand pending sentencing, whilst the 16-year-old boy has been granted bail. All three are scheduled to appear for sentencing at Hull Crown Court on Friday, April 24 2026.
Detective Inspector Tom Kelly added: “These young men were subjected to appalling levels of violence, coercion and exploitation at the hands of an organised crime group. Their actions were calculated and predatory, fuelled by a false sense of bravado, that showed a complete disregard for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable people.
“Child criminal exploitation has a profound and lasting impact on young people. It is often hidden, happening behind closed doors, or disguised as friendships, relationships or everyday interactions. This abuse doesn’t always involve adults targeting children; it can also occur between young people themselves, where individuals of a similar age abuse influence and control to cause harm.
“In this case, we saw offenders ranging from teenagers to young adults involved in serious offending against other young people.”