Drug dealer sentenced to four years in jail `People dealing in drugs will be subject to lengthy pris

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 16th Jun 2000.

DRUG DEALER Richard Shanley was sentenced to four years in prison, after pleading guilty to a string of offences at Bristol Crown Court on Wednesday.

Shanley, 46, of Riverway, Trowbridge, was given four years for possession with intent to supply £2,000 worth of heroin, and two years for possession of £8,000 worth of amphetamine with intent to supply.

He was also sentenced to six months for possession of amphetamine, cannabis resin and herbal cannabis; 12 months for possession of MDMA; 12 months for possession of cocaine; six months for possession of amphetamine; 12 months for allowing his premises to be used for cultivation of cannabis; 12 months for cultivating 192 plants of cannabis in Potterne, and 12 months for eight counts of handling stolen goods. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Mark Warsley, prosecuting, said the amphetamine and heroin, with a combined street value of more than £10,000, were found in a secret area behind a disused ladies' toilet on office premises controlled by Shanley. Another toilet area was also found to contain 13 cannabis plants.

Shanley was caught watering the 192 cannabis plants found in Potterne. Mr Warsley said: When police arrived at the premises they essentially found a growing factory. At the time police arrived, the defendant was standing in the middle of it all, holding a dripping hose pipe.

He said he had walked in 20 seconds before and tripped over the hose which is why he was holding it.

Mr Warsley said cocaine, MDMA, herbal cannabis and amphetamine were also found in Shanley's flat.

The charge of handling stolen goods includes equipment worth £250,000 stolen from the former Trowbridge Leisure Complex, a passport, driving licence, a Yamaha motorcycle and a police radio.

Richard Smith, defending, said Shanley, a member of the well-known Trowbridge family, had saved the court a lot of money by pleading guilty and avoiding a lengthy trial. He said: He must be given due recognition for his guilty plea.

Before delivering sentence, judge Simon Darwall-Smith said: You have both dishonesty and drugs on your record. It has and does demonstrate your close proximity to professional criminals. I have taken all that has been said into account and that is why I have made your sentences run concurrently.

DC Alan Hardman of Trowbridge CID led the operation. He said: It has been a protracted 18 months involving many facets of Wiltshire Constabulary.

Mr Shanley is very fortunate that all the sentences were concurrent. If they hadn't been, he would be serving at least 12 years in prison. He will only be serving four years, but as the investigation led by myself and PC Ben Blackmore has proved, people dealing in drugs will be subject to lengthy prison sentences.

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