Ex-Northwich Victoria owner Jim Rushe sentenced to six years in prison

FORMER Northwich Victoria owner Jim Rushe has been sentenced to six years in prison after being found guilty of conspiring to supply class A drugs.

Rushe, 55, whose son Martin is the solitary shareholder of the NPL Division One South Vics, was found guilty alongside Mark Fishwick on Thursday, April 14.

Fishwick’s son Reece had played for the Vics and both he and Rushe were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday morning after several adjournments, report the Northwich Guardian.

The pair, who were found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine, were told by Judge Simon Medland that “you are both architects of your own misfortune”.

Medland added that he expects both men to serve half of their six-year sentences in prison and half on licence.

Defending Rushe, Peter Wright said the ex-Vics man went to prison “with a very heavy heart” and that he had suffered “the most monumental fall from grace”.

“His life and those of his family have been shattered,” Wright added. “He also feels that those who have held him in high regard and as a role model for many years will feel cheated by him.”