Jailed: Student turned dealer caught with drugs and fake gun in Telford

Richard Musonza, aged 22 and from Castlefields in Shrewsbury, had been a marketing student at Manchester University.

But he left education due to mounting debts, ended up living on the streets and then started selling drugs, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

In September 2017 he was caught with wraps of a brown substance, white powder, scales, and an imitation pistol in a car being driven by 36-year-old Fiona Lockwood in Telford.

On Friday Musonza and Lockwood were both locked up for possession of class A and B drugs with intent to supply and handling stolen goods, namely the car. Musonza was also sentenced for possession of an imitation firearm.

Pulled over

Mr Mark Liddiard, prosecuting, told the court that Musonza was one of several passengers in a car which police followed and then pulled over in the early hours of the morning in Leegomery.

Musonza, who was sat in the back seat of the car, had two wraps of a brown substance along with white power on him, said Mr Liddiard.

In the car - which had glued-on number plates after being stolen 10 days earlier - police also found small drug bags, scales, and quantities of other drugs.

An imitation firing pistol was discovered in the boot, while a phone from Musonza was found to have texts that showed he was involved in the drug trade.

Tarlowchan Dubb, for Musonza, said his client was intelligent and went to study at university before mounting debts forced him to quit.

He turned to drugs, but during his time in custody he had been working on achieving qualifications.

Lisa Hancox, for Lockwood, said her client was addicted to drugs for a long period, and did not know about the drugs in the car or if they were stolen.

At the time she had “hit rock bottom,” but had changed things in custody by coming off drugs and getting qualifications.

'All fallen apart'

Sentencing Musonza to four years and three months in prison, Judge Peter Barrie said: “You’re 22 and had a good start in life and it has all fallen apart and you have got into serious drug dealing.”

As part of a separate case, Lockwood, of Hurleybrook Way in Leegomery, was also sentenced for handling stolen goods and fraud.

She took jewellery and a TV that had been stolen by other people and tried to sell them at Cash Converters, Mr Liddiard said.

Lockwood was jailed for 32 months by the judge, who said: "Your life has been blighted over many years by drugs.

"You have a terrible record of offending and have had a long sentence for drug dealing. I am pleased you have provided negative drug tests."

Both pleaded guilty.