Telford drug dealer jailed after crack cocaine find

A drug dealer working in Telford who was found with up to £5,000 worth of crack cocaine was this afternoon jailed for more than three years.

Dirk Howell, 30, was found to have more than 50 grams of the class A drug, and more than four grams of cannabis, when police raided a property in Parish Close, Dawley, Telford, on January 31.

Also at the same address in Dawley was Howell's girlfriend Kerry Aulton, 32, who was found with heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis.

The pair, from Wyrley Road in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court this afternoon.

Howell previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply and possession of a Class B drug and was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment.

Aulton pleaded guilty to the same offences and was sentenced to 52 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting, said the street value of the Class A drugs found on Howell was between £1,400 and £5,000.

"That consisted of 50.6 grams of crack cocaine, with a purity of 21 per cent," said Mr Edwards.

The court was told Howell, who has 23 convictions spanning 17 years, sold the drugs after getting into debt when he borrowed £1,700 from loan sharks.

Mr Tim Harrington, for Howell, said: "He owed a debt to some men in Wolverhampton. He borrowed a significant amount of money, and it doubled. They said 'pay us the money or deal drugs'. That's why this defendant did what he did."

Judge Robin Onions heard Howell borrowed the £1,700 to give his family a good Christmas.

Mr Adrian Roberts, for Aulton, said she was leading a difficult life and never handled any drugs or received any money.

Speaking outside the court, Detective Sergeant Richard Davies, of Telford Police, said: "We hope the sentences handed out at the court today act as a warning to those people involved in the supply of drugs in Telford.

"Police in Telford remain committed to tackling those concerned in the production and supply of illegal drugs."