Six people linked to Blackpool drugs conspiracy that saw children exploited are sentenced

The case was described as having "elements of modern day slavery" as prosecutors described the criminals' use of young, impressionable youths from West Yorkshire, who did as directed in order to ‘get in’ with the gang.

Three youngsters were driven miles from home into Lancashire and exploited by gang members during the conspiracy to deal deadly drugs in Blackpool.The drugs conspiracy took place between May 1 and December 2, 2018, centering around three phone numbers collectively known as the "SJ phone".

Preston Crown Court heard the operation depended, for a period of time, on facilitating the travel of the three boys, aged 14, 14 and 16, to the resort and exploiting them.

Ringleader Ryan Ncube, 21, of Scott Vale, Huddersfield, who was part of a crime gang called the ‘BBD’ from Huddersfield - organised drug trafficking from Huddersfield to Blackpool and controlled three phone lines.

Today, six drug dealers were sentenced over their roles.

Stephen Hodson, of Reads Avenue, Blackpool, was caught making several hand to hand exchanges on surveillance video, with evidence showing his phone in frequent contact with the SJ phone and other defendants. He told police he was in debt to ‘SJ’ and that gang members would come and sit for an hour in his flat, and he was unable to get rid of them.

He moved out of his flat in October, and went to live with Saunders and Matthews, but said "SJ" started going round to Matthew's flat then, so Hodson returned to his old flat. He said that ‘SJ’ is one of several black men who visit and that he called them all ‘SJ’ - including Ncube.

He said he paid the debt off in the end by doing things he did not want to do, like ‘begging’ and ‘grafting’.

Judge Philip Parry imposed a six and a half year jail term.

Helen Kenyon, 32, and Adam Saunders, 45, of Grasmere Road, Blackpool, housed one of the boys and allowed him to use their flat as a base from which to deal.

In November 2018, officers arrived to find the boy in their house - with £850, 12 wraps of heroin and 51 of crack cocaine on him.

His phone was seized and had been in contact with the SJ phone. Kenyon said she thought he was 17 and had a different name. She said “SJ” was a friend of hers and had asked them to have the boy for a short while because he was “family” and had no idea he was dealing.

Saunders received four years in prison.

Kenyon receuved a two year community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement and 80 hours unpaid work.

David Sharples, 41, of Grasmere Road, was seen restocking another dealer called Boaler with drugs and being handed cash by her, and his phone had multiple contacts with Liliman, Hodson, the 16-year-old and Ncube.

He was given five and a half years in jail.

Suzanne Matthews, 34, of Condor Grove, Blackpool, and her partner Adam Percival, shared a phone that was in contact with Hodson and the SJ phone, and were witnessed carrying out hand to hand drug deals in August 2018.

Matthews and Percival both received two years, suspended for two years, with a rehabilitation activity requirement and curfew, and Percival received a drug treatment order.

Several other defendants are due to be dealt with in May.

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