Group jailed for dealing drugs in Stafford

Adam Clowes, Andrew Sheppard, Daniel Murphy, Jack Abell and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named, were all jailed after a police operation.

The group all admitted their part in conspiracy to supply drugs in the town and were jailed at Stafford Crown Court on May 24.

The court heard that on February 23 Murphy was arrested flat in Averill Road, Highfields, where officers seized 46 wraps of Class A drugs worth £510 and £400 cash.

Clowes, who tried to throw away a phone when chased by officers in Exeter Street, Silkmore, on November 27 last year, had used Murphy and the teenager as runners to supply drugs in Stafford.

On August 19, 2017, officers spotted Clowes driving at speed away from his home, in Oxford Gardens, Stafford.

The Mercedes was abandoned in nearby Coronation Road and Sheppard was arrested after heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis were found in nearby bushes.

On September 7, 2017, Clowes was arrested near Abell’s address on New Street in Stafford, with Abell being arrested himself shortly after.

Around 450 grams of cannabis, five grams of cocaine and two grams of heroin were found in a nearby property.

Sergeant Tom Fotherby, of Stafford Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “These are significant sentences and send out a clear message we will not tolerate drug-dealing in Stafford and that we will work to bring those dealing drugs and causing misery to court.

“My team has secured some excellent results in recent months and we will continue to work to bring offenders to justice.”

Clowes, aged 18, was jailed for seven years, Sheppard, 20, for three years, Murphy, 19, for four years and nine months and the 17-year-old was jailed for 12 months.

Alongside these charges, Clowes and Sheppard also admitted to conspiracy to supply cannabis, while Murphy admitted to possession with intent to supply heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis.

Jack Abell, aged 23, was jailed for 10 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.