Jailed: Bridgnorth pub drug dealer, 49, gets two-and-a-half years
A drug dealer from Bridgnorth has been jailed for Jailed: Bridgnorth pub drug dealer gets two-and-a-half years after being caught red-handed in a pub in the town.
Christopher Asprey, 49, of Linley View Drive, pleaded guilty to possession of a class A drug with intent to supply and possession of criminal property.
He was jailed by Judge Peter Barrie, who heard he had been caught with 20 wraps of cocaine in his pockets.
Prosecutor Ramya Nagesh told Shrewsbury Crown Court that Asprey was seen in a pub in Bridgnorth on November 1, 2015. Police were called and observed Asprey, who matched the description of a man who had been seen to be selling drugs.
She said he was arrested and taken to the police station, where he was found to have five clingfilm wraps in his pocket and a further search found another 15 wraps.
"Police then searched his home and found further drugs," she added. "In total drugs weighing 14 grams and with a value of £780 were found."
She added that during the search of his home, police officers found designer clothes, 30 pairs of designer trainers and aftershave.
"He said he was selling the drug and that he had been selling it for six months," said Miss Nagesh.
Mr Brendan Reedy for Asprey said: "The remorse he feels is genuine. The offences were committed because when he split with his partner he had a breakdown and then turned to cocaine. The reliance on the drug became too much for him. He realised that if he bought more than he needed he could sell it to his friends, which would allow him to buy his own drugs and give him enough money to get by on. He could not see what he was doing was wrong, but he understands that now."
In sentencing Asprey Judge Barrie said: "You have come to understand that you have committed a very serious offence. You were regularly dealing cocaine for money for at least six months.
"Somebody who deals in class A drugs can not be taken seriously when they say they did not think they were doing anything wrong."
For possessing a class A drug with intent to supply Asprey was jailed for 30 months and will serve half his time in custody with the rest on licence. For possession of criminal property he was sentenced to six months to run concurrently.
