Four sentenced for drug offences in Stoke-on-Trent

On Thursday (28 October), three men and one woman were sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court for drug offences.

32-year-old Jason Mark Adams, of Malthouse Road, Alton, was sentenced to four years and one month for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

31-year-old Ethan Vernall, of Margaret Street, Hanley, was sentenced to three years and eight months for driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving without third party insurance and possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

29-year-old Nathan Cotton, of Newshaw Walk, Hanley, was sentenced to three years and four months for concern in the production of cocaine and cannabis.

All three pleaded guilty in court.

On Sunday 19 April 2020 at 11:05pm, an officer in an unmarked police vehicle observed a VW Golf travelling at speed along King Street, Fenton.

The suspect vehicle failed to stop and was followed for 40 minutes. A stinger was deployed by intercepting officers and made a successful impact on the Golf, which continued to drive erratically despite a deflated tyre.

The driver, Vernall, drove the vehicle onto the wrong side of the A50 whilst avoiding oncoming traffic. As the Golf exited onto Uttoxeter Road, it collided with a vehicle and came to a stop.

Vernall and passenger, Adams, were arrested following a search of their persons and vehicle. Officers uncovered a plastic bag in the boot, containing cocaine, £2290 in cash, digital scales, tick list and a jar of cannabis vegetation. Police also seized a mobile phone from Vernall.

After forensic examination of the evidence, police identified a further suspect, Cotton.

On Thursday 24 December 2020, officers attended Sheppard Street, Stoke-on-Trent, for an unrelated incident, where a male identified himself as Cotton. He was voluntarily interviewed at Longton Police Station.

Evidence uncovered from seized mobile phones detailed messages from all defendants, involving the supply and operation of dealing cocaine and cannabis.
A 33-year-old woman, Katie Myatt, was also given a 28-month sentence, suspended for 21-months. She has been ordered to complete a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for 25 days, including 100 hours of unpaid work.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Marc Proctor, of Staffordshire Police, said: “We are delighted to have convicted these individuals for their part in supplying illegal drugs in Stoke-on-Trent.

“We were able to convict those responsible through investigative efforts and forensic examination, where we credit the culminative efforts of all those involved to bring justice.

“This serves as a message to anyone involved in the supply of drugs in Staffordshire that officers will take all of the necessary steps to ensure those responsible for this criminality are stopped and dealt with accordingly.

“If you have been affected by drugs, or would like to report suspicious activity in your area, contact Staffordshire Police on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101.
Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or call 999 in an emergency”.