Jailed: Dealer who sold drugs in the grounds of Shrewsbury prison
A drug dealer caught by police selling crack cocaine and heroin to teenagers in the grounds of Shrewsbury's now disused prison has been jailed for three years.
Charles Leary had nearly £14,000 worth of drugs on him, packaged up and ready to sell, as well as about £2,000 in cash when he was searched by officers.
Police had been alerted by a member of the public who called them after witnessing him handing over packages in exchange for cash, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.
Mr Neil Ahuja, prosecuting, said: "This defendant was travelling from Liverpool to supply Class A drugs in Shropshire."
He said on May 19 last year local resident Nigel Smith saw a man selling drugs to youths who were approaching him in the position he had taken up in the grounds of the now disused Dana jail.
Mr Smith called the police and officers arrested Leary shortly afterwards.
Leary, 29, pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply when he appeared at court yesterday.
He also admitted possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and possessing an article with a blade or sharp point.
Miss Kyra Badman, for Leary, said the father-of-two had borrowed cash from a loan shark. He soon fell behind with payments.
She added: "He felt he had no option but to say yes when he was told there was another way to pay off the debt, by taking these packages to people."
Recorder John Harvey, sentencing Leary, said: "You were supplying Class A drugs to young people. When the police turned up you were found in possession of a substantial quantity of both crack cocaine and heroin, in packages obviously ready to be sold.
"You also had a significant quantity of money. Those who supply Class A drugs have to expect that they will receive a substantial term of imprisonment."
