Stevenage county lines drug dealer jailed for four years

Dean Bruton, 24, of Warwick Road, Stevenage, was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison at St Albans Crown Court yesterday (June 10), for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Timothy Alexander, 33, of Brendon Avenue, Luton was sentenced to six years and nine months behind bars, while Ryan Sherry, 22, Hockley Farm Road, Leicester, was sentenced to two years and seven months.

All three men pleaded guilty, while a fourth man, Branden Daly, 26, from Caddington, Luton, is due to appear in court at a later date.

Timothy Alexander. (Image: Herts police)

Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist county lines gangs team, Operation Mantis, conducted search warrants at addresses in Hemel Hempstead and Luton, seizing crack cocaine and cannabis with an estimated street value of around £3,000, and approximately £4,000 cash.

Detective Constable Chris Duncan, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Operation Mantis team, said: "The gang ran the 'Capo' line, which supplied heroin and cocaine from Luton into the Hemel Hempstead area.

Ryan Sherry. (Image: Herts police)

"The disruption of this line will make a significant impact on drug use and associated crime in that part of the county. It also sends a clear message that drug dealing will not go unpunished and anyone involved will be caught and jailed.

"Exploitation of vulnerable young people is just one of the tragic symptoms of organised drug gangs.

"County lines dealers can coerce people into providing a base for dealers to operate or to act as distributers themselves.

"They often use young people to handle drugs and money, drawing them deeper into gang affiliation that often leads to violence and abuse."