Two young men, Jayley Rickman and Harry Thompson, have been sentenced after being caught selling heroin and cocaine near Hafod Primary School in Swansea. The 21-year-old Rickman from Weston-super-Mare and the 18-year-old Thompson from Swansea were apprehended by undercover officers with over 97 wraps of Class A drugs between them.
Police received reports of suspicious activity near Odo Street, Swansea, prompting plainclothes officers to investigate. They found Rickman sitting on the school steps holding cocaine, with additional heroin and cocaine wraps nearby. Thompson attempted to flee but was chased down and arrested; he had a burner phone and a coffee jar containing 60 wraps of drugs concealed on him.
The burner phone revealed bulk drug supply messages sent to approximately 40 contacts, including offers such as “Three for 25 all day,” and a list indicating money owed to the dealers, with one debt reportedly as high as £1,650. During interviews, Rickman remained silent, while Thompson initially denied the charges before admitting to selling £10 deals.
READ MORE: Strike at Hinkley Point C Ends Following Supervisor’s Removal
READ MORE: Somerset’s Parks and Green Spaces Shine Among the World’s Best
Rickman, previously convicted and sentenced for dealing crack and heroin in Weston-super-Mare, was on licence but recalled to prison following these charges – his recall extending until April 2027. Thompson, with no prior convictions, was on bail at the time for suspected involvement in ketamine and heroin supply.
In mitigation, Rickman’s lawyer highlighted his struggles with past debts and ongoing drug use, suggesting these challenges made his return to dealing almost inevitable. Thompson’s defense outlined his difficult personal circumstances, including homelessness following a family breakdown.
Judge Paul Thomas KC emphasized the severity of their offences, noting the significant street value of the drugs involved and warning the two defendants that further Class A drug dealings would lead to lengthy prison terms. Rickman was sentenced to four years and four months, to be served concurrently with his recall sentence. Thompson received two years and four months detention at a young offenders institution. Both will serve half of their sentences in custody before being released on licence.