ONE man has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment while another was handed a suspended sentence for supplying class A drugs in Westbury.

On 11 August 2018, officers from the dedicated crime team attended an address in Sandalwood Road, Westbury, and arrested 18-year-old Jenson Moore after he was found in possession of 19 wraps of crack cocaine, £540 cash and a mobile phone.

Enquiries were carried out which confirmed that he was being directed by a Bristol man to sell drugs to users in Westbury.

On August 28, officers attended an address in Bristol, and arrested Tristen Thompson, aged 19, of Fishponds.

Both were charged and Moore pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to a 16 month prison sentence suspended for two years. He must also complete 300 hours of unpaid work.

Thompson pleaded not guilty and a trial was held over a four days. He was found guilty of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin and was sentenced on Thursday (February 28) to four years and six months imprisonment.

PC Luke Barnett, from the Dedicated Crime Team, said: “Moore had been travelling to Bristol and meeting up with Thompson to collect crack cocaine and heroin, before returning to Westbury to deal class A drugs on our streets at Thompson’s command.

“Thompson tried to distance himself from the phone that he used to control Moore, however, the jury found him guilty.

“It is becoming all too common that we are seeing young people between the ages of 15 and 20 getting involving in selling class A drugs. Whether it is the pull of the latest designer clothes, trainers or new iPhones they are offered by those running the so called ‘business’ or just for the kudos on social media, the message we want to send out is that it is not worth it. You will be arrested and you will be prosecuted.

“As always, we encourage members of the public to report suspected drug activity in their neighbourhoods by calling 101. As well as this, we’d like to hear from anyone who suspects a young person may be involved in, or is being drawn into, this type of criminal behaviour.”