A NORTH-EAST gangster has had assets worth hundreds of thousands of pounds frozen by the High Court.

Paul Ashton, 42, of Thursby Gardens, Gateshead, and Robert Webber, of Abbey Road, Sadberge, near Darlington, were each jailed for 18 years in 1998, for their part in a turf war fought on the region's streets.

They were convicted at Newcastle Crown Court of conspiracy to murder and possession of firearms with intent to endanger lives.

Ashton's jail term was added to an eight-year sentence given in 1997 for conspiracy to supply drugs.

He was also found guilty of violent disorder and attempting to pervert the course of justice, for which he was given a five-year sentence, a total of 31 years.

The drugs conviction led to a confiscation order made against him for £90,000.

This was overturned after a Court of Appeal decision last week.

Yesterday, a High Court judge in London ruled that Ashton's assets, worth £209,000 should be frozen, pending the outcome of a future hearing.

The case was brought before the court after work carried out by the Assets Recovery Agency, Northumbria Police and the National Crime Squad.