Brighton drug dealer jailed for supplying cocktail of drugs including crystal meth, cocaine and amphetamines which he advertised as ‘party bags’ in the city.
Ashley Richardson, 29, of Springfield Road, pleaded guilty to five counts of supplying class A drugs – three of supplying crystal meth, one of cocaine, one of MDMA and five counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine, crystal meth, MDMA, amphetamine and ketamine at an earlier hearing on November 30 after being arrested earlier that month.
On Thursday, January 4, he was sentenced to nine years and four months at Hove Crown Court.
The court was told that Richardson had been given a 22-month suspended sentence in May 2017 for four counts of possession intent to supply drugs and one count of offering to supply drugs in Brighton and Hove. But he had ignored the court order and continued to deal drugs online and from his home.
Detective Sergeant Dee Wells from Sussex Police Brighton and Hove Community Investigation Team said: “Richardson was a significant dealer who was advertising his cocktail of drugs including crystal meth, cocaine and amphetamine as ‘party bags’ online. He had already been given a 22-month suspended sentence last year for possession with intent to supply such drugs but ignored it and carried on dealing.
“Crystal meth is becoming more prevalent in Brighton and Hove with police seizures of it increasing over the last year and we would urge any anyone who has information about the supply of this particularly harmful drug to contact us.”
In sentencing Richardson, the presiding Judge, Jeremy Gold QC issued a warning to all drug dealers in the city.
He said: “You were selling class A drugs, including crystal meth which apparently is growing in popularity in the city of Brighton and Hove, which appears to be particularly linked to the large gay scene in city.
“Citizens of this city and gay citizens in particular who are particularly vulnerable to being drawn into using this pernicious and highly addictive drug expect suitable punishment to be meted out to drug dealers like you.”
Richardson used Grindr, to sell the drugs and was caught by undercover officers after sending online messages saying “Tina anyone?” out on the gay hook up app.
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