Brighton woman sentenced for helping drugs gang

A jobless Brighton woman was one of five members of a drugs gang sentenced at Hove Crown Court yesterday (Friday 8 February).

Sarah Woolgar, 33, of Queensway, Brighton, was given a two-year prison sentence suspended for 18 months for conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

She was also ordered to attend a nine-month drugs rehabilitation programme.

Three men, all from London, were given prison sentences, having been jointly charged last September when they were arrested as part of a Sussex Police operation.

Two unemployed men, Ainsley Kelly, 18, of Mayall Road, Brixton, and Rhyan Mayers, 20, unemployed of Saltoun Road, Brixton, were each jailed.

They were given two and half years each for having heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply.

Daniel Rock, 23, of Rattray Road, Brixton, was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months along with 300 hours of unpaid work for conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

A 16-year-old boy from southwest London was made subject to a curfew and a youth referral order for 12 months.

They were arrested as part of Operation Reduction, which involves Sussex Police working with organisations providing treatment for drug users.

The long-running operation is aimed at disrupting drug dealing and tackling drug abuse in the city.

Detective Inspector Julie Wakeford, who leads the operation, said: “This is a good result and sends out a strong message that we will do everything we can in order to disrupt the flow of drugs into our city.”

Mayers and Kelly ran the gang, bringing drugs down from London. Rock and the 16-year-old acted as their runners. And Woolgar allowed her home to be used by the gang.

Detective Inspector Wakeford said: “I really hope that Sarah will benefit from the drugs rehabilitation programme she has been ordered to attend and that it will make her less vulnerable to being used in this way again.”

Since last July plain-clothed officers have been gathering evidence and have made 54 arrests so far with more to come.

Several of those arrested are from London and thought to be the “kingpins” in the supply of drugs to Brighton and Hove.

So far £16,000 cash has been seized along with class A drugs with an approximate street value of £46,000.

Detective Inspector Wakeford said: “Please do not hesitate to contact Sussex Police if you have information concerning drug dealing in your area.

“You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

“We will always act on any information no matter how relevant you think it is.

“Anyone in need of help and support for drug addiction can get help from one of our partner agencies, including CRI (Crime Reduction Initiatives).

“Its projects, delivered in communities and prisons, provide its service users with high-quality treatment, followed by the structured support they need to empower themselves and go on to lead more purposeful and independent lives.

“To find out more about CRI visit www.cri.org.uk.”