Telford drugs gang get 55 years in jail

The conspiracy ran for almost 18 months, during which thousands of pounds' worth of crack cocaine and heroin were sold in the borough.

At Birmingham Crown Court yesterday Judge Philip Parker QC said police had unearthed a criminal operation which centred on a number of houses in the Hadley and Wellington areas and involved several members of one family.

Judge Parker said Robert Bushell, 39, whom he described as a career criminal, had – with his brother Neil, 35 – played a leading role in the drugs plot.

Robert Bushell was jailed for eight years having admitted conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

His wife Melanie, 39, was given eight months for allowing her home to be used for the supply of drugs and her 21-year-old son Sean Thompson was jailed for four years for his role in the supply of Class A drugs.

Neil Bushell was given a sentence of six years and eight months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.

Also involved were the Bushell brothers' sister Sally, 31, a mother of five, who was jailed for five years and three months, and her former partner Stuart Waterhouse, 34, who was jailed for six years. Both had admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Bernadette Stewart, 50, had played a leading role as a street dealer.

She was jailed for six years and eight months for the conspiracy and given a concurrent four-year sentence for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs with Matthew Thompson. Thompson, 42, received four years and nine months.

Graham Stewart, 44, was jailed for 16 months for allowing his home to be used for the supply of drugs. John Gough, 45, was given three years, and Kenneth Hogg, 39, was sentenced to 40 months. Both had admitted conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Lee Moseley, 41, was jailed for four years having admitted conspiracy to supply crack cocaine. Liam Riggs, 21, who had admitted being concerned in supply of Class A drugs, was given two years, suspended for two years.