Gang sentenced after drug deal in Herford supermarket car park went wrong
Witnesses saw cash flying in the air and a man with a knife during the incident in March 2021
Six members of a gang have been sentenced after a drug deal at a supermarket car park in Hereford went wrong.
The two groups, who were from Northamptonshire and Wales, attempted a drug deal worth a suspected value of £40,000 in the Morrisons car park in Hereford in the middle of the day on 5th March 2021.
Witnesses reported seeing cash flying the air and a man with a knife running across the car park.
One gang member was stabbed but only sustained a minor injury.
The gang were sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on March 6.
Matthew Walford, a 27-year-old from Northampton, was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery and received a four-year prison sentence.
He was also sentenced to two years, to run concurrently, for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Jack Norrish, aged 30 and from Brixworth, Northampton, was sentenced to four years for conspiracy to supply a Class A drug (cocaine).
He received a further two concurrent years for being concerned in the supply of a class A drug – cocaine, along with a £190 victim surcharge.
Ashley Manning, 30, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to three years and two months for conspiracy to commit robbery and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £190.
Jack Mooney, a 31, of Nansen Walk, Corby, Northamptonshire, received a two-year suspended sentence for conspiracy to commit robbery.
He was ordered to pay a £156 victim surcharge and attend 20 days of rehabilitation activity.
Jake Forsyth, 27, of Abertillery, Gwent, received three years and seven months for conspiracy to supply a class A drug (Cocaine).
Rebecca Edwards, also 27 and from Gwent, was convicted of assisting an offender.
Her sentence includes a community order for 180 hours of unpaid work, £2,000 costs, and a £95 victim surcharge.
Detective Sergeant Jim Moore of Hereford Proactive CID said: “This was a detailed and complex investigation into the supply of class A drugs, and while the association between drug supply and violence is well known, this incident shows the impact this offending can have on the community.
“The defendants met at Morrisons car park with the intention of supplying cocaine, but the transaction was a ruse designed to steal the money brought there to make the purchase.
“Members of the public witnessed the incident and saw Manning and Walford brandishing machetes.
“A proactive investigation uncovered the full scale of the operation, and the sentences are welcomed as recognition of the seriousness of the offences.
“West Mercia Police is committed to combatting serious and organised crime and protecting the public from harm and detectives will pursue those who commit these offences.”