Jail terms for drug-dealers

After a police sting in July last year, the five appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Friday where the judge warned them he was going to hand down heavy sentences.

The gang involved in the drugs network were being fuelled by criminals based in the Liverpool area.

The five were Scott Dodd, 32, from St Georges in Telford, who was jailed for 56 months; Daniel Stanford, 28, from Brookside in Telford, also jailed for 56 months; Alan Ainsworth, 29, from Dawley, jailed for 80 months; Lorraine Stokes, 29, from St Georges in Telford, who was handed a 52-week sentence suspended for two years and 300 hours unpaid work; and Cara Williams, 30, from Dawley, jailed for 32 months.

Also sentenced as part of the network was Carl Pitter, 41, from Liverpool, who was jailed for 40 months.

Sentencing the individuals, Judge Eades said: "It is clear this (criminality) was sophisticated and well planned. This case is not retail, it's wholesale and the courts have to pass significant and long sentences."

After the sentencing a spokesman for West Mercia Police said: "We are very pleased with the sentences handed down and feel confident that we have made an important breakthrough in terms of putting a stop to a major avenue of controlled drugs supply in the town.

"The individuals sentenced were at various levels in the supply chain - which is reflected in the different sentences - and it's pleasing that our streets will be safe from a number of these people for some considerable time. It is difficult to catch people who deal heavily in controlled drugs so the result in this case is particularly satisfying.

"The sentencing reflects the importance that the courts place in this type of offence and people who deal in the death and misery that comes with the use of drugs will understandably continue to be treated as a priority by West Mercia Police."

By Jason Lavan