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FOUR convicted drug dealers have been sentenced to a total of 11 years at Preston Crown Court following a series of drug raids by Lancashire police in Preston in March. Nicola Baldwin, 26, of Elm Grove and Darren Graham, 39, of Maitland Street were both sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for supply of heroin and Baldwin for heroin and cocaine. Andrew Jessop, 40 of Harrington Street was sentenced to 2 years 3 months imprisonment for supplying heroin. This will run concurrent to a 12 month sentence resulting from an offence back in February 2008 for affray. David Jessop 42, of Duke Street was also sentenced to 2 years 6 months. Jessop was not specifically targeted during the Nimrod operation but was arrested when a warrant was executed at a local address during the arrest phase; he was in possession of heroin. Six juveniles were also dealt with at Preston Youth Court: A 17 year old was given a Community Punishment Order with 80 hours community service and 12 months probation supervision. A second 17 year old was given a Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order of 100 hours and 12 months supervision. Three 16 year olds were handed Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Orders. One got 70 hours community service and 12 months probation with a curfew between 7pm -7am. The remaining two were given 40 hours community service and 100 hours community service respectively. Paul Burnett, 34, of Porter Street was given a 52 weeks suspended for 2 years Supervision Order 12 months Drug Rehab requirement 9 months for the supply and offer to supply of heroin. Thirty Three people were arrested by Lancashire Police in total after drug raids were carried out at 30 properties in Preston at the end of March. These raids were codenamed Operation Nimrod, an intelligence-led operation that is targeting drug crime across the force and has involved months of evidence gathering on alleged drug dealing in Lancashire. Following these arrests, 125 drugs related charges have been imposed against the individuals concerned and they continue to appear at court. The warrants were executed under the s23 Misuse Drugs Act in relation to people identified by Operation Nimrod as being concerned in the supply of Class A Drugs, either in the street or public places, rather than in houses or prearranged appointments with known contacts. Ch Supt Pete White, Divisional Commander at Central Division, said: "A significant proportion of the people targeted pleaded guilty at their first appearance at court which serves to demonstrate the impact and the success of these raids, the biggest in Preston for three years. "This activity shows our ability to tackle those involved in drug dealing activity and hopefully reassures the community that their concerns are taken seriously. I am very grateful to local residents for their ongoing tolerance and support. We rely on communities to help us and would ask anyone with any information relating to drugs to call police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 www.lancashire.police.uk |
