Illegal drugs gang operating in Leominster jailed by police
Five people were sentenced, with three receiving suspended terms
Last updated 4th Jun 2025
A drugs gang who helped to flood Leominster with cocaine has been brought down, with two men now jailed for their roles in the group.
In total, five men were convicted for their parts in a drug operation that saw narcotics come into the town; however, only two were given custodial sentences.
Kenneth Stuchbery, 37 and of Bridge Street in Leominster, was given a prison sentence of four and a half years, and ordered to pay a surcharge of £187 to the victim.
Ethan Pound, aged 23, of no fixed address, was given a custodial sentence of two years and nine months, and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.
The remaining three - 60-year-old Philip Oldaker from Ludlow in Shropshire; 27-year-old Shane Butler from Leominster; and 31-year-old Jade Field in Leominster - were given suspended sentenced, but were ordered to pay costs which totalled over £640.
All five pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs at Worcester Crown Court last month.
The sentencings came following a long-term investigation resulting in warrants being issued for their arrests in November of 2024.
The group first aroused suspicion when they were stopped by police in Kidderminster in September of 2024. Ethan Pound was inside the car, as well as amounts of cocaine and cannabis.
According to the investigation, the plan was for the cocaine to be collected, destined to be sold in Leominster, with Kenneth Stuchbery working as the ringleader.
Speaking on the verdict, Detective Constable Kyle Hopkins from West Mercia Police said: "We are pleased to have broken this drug ring operating within the small market town of Leominster, managed by Kenneth Stuchbery.
“The misery and suffering brought about by drugs into our communities is well documented and Stuchbery committed these offences for financial gain.
“The sentences imposed demonstrate that offending of this nature will not be tolerated by West Mercia Police and detectives will relentlessly pursue those who commit it, regardless of where they operate, and will always seek to prosecute those who cause harm to the people we are here to protect and serve.”