Third strike sentence for Shrewsbury man involved in 'Jericho' drug gang

Mackenzie Roughley, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court after admitting three charges.

The 26-year old pleaded guilty being concerned in the supply of a class A drug - cocaine, as well as being concerned in the supply of a class B drug - cannabis, and possession of cannabis.

The court heard that Roughley’s admission over the class A drugs related to messages sent on the social media platform Snapchat between December 19, 2025, and the end of January, 2026.

Prosecuting barrister Danny Smith said it was accepted that Roughley’s involvement was limited to two instances over the time period, but he said the defendant had two previous convictions for being involved in the supply of cocaine, opening him up to a mandatory seven year prison sentence under the ‘three strikes’ policy.

Mr Smith told the court that a police investigation into what was dubbed the ‘Jericho’ drugs gang in Shrewsbury had revealed a number of contacts after police downloaded the contents of a senior figure’s mobile telephone.

The court heard that a Snapchat account owned by Roughley had been involved in communication about class A drugs on two occasions.

Mr Smith said: “It is clear the defendant was using Snapchat to communicate with those involved in drug supply.”

The court was told of one occasion where he was asked for cocaine and provided a telephone number for the customer.

Mr Smith described Roughley as “a mapped member of the Jericho organised crime group” and added that he had three convictions for nine offences - including two for the supply of cocaine.

Olivia Appleby, mitigating on Roughley’s behalf, said he was “quite frankly on the fringes”, and urged the court to take “exceptional” action and draw back from imposing the seven-year sentence.

She told the court Roughley has been working to move away from the lifestyle adding: “He foolishly passed a telephone number on when asked.”

Ms Appleby said the defendant had been using his time in prison “wisely” and was taking steps to turn his life around.

She said: “He expresses, in my submission remorse, as being angry at himself.”

Sentencing, Judge Recorder Julian Taylor said: “This is the third time you have been involved in dealing Class A drugs - cocaine.

“You were seen on snapchat to be having discussions and conversations of dealing on at least two occasions in that five-week period. It is clear you were involved, albeit to a limited extent, in supplying class A drugs.

He added: “You learned nothing from those two previous convictions where you received custodial sentences and you must have known if you were convicted for a third time very serious consequences would follow.”

Recorder Taylor said that despite his progress in prison, and Ms Appleby’s mitigation he could find no exceptional circumstances which would allow him not to impose the three-strike sentence.

Roughly was jailed for five years and seven months - reduced from seven years for his guilty pleas.