Crime
Five members of drugs gang jailed for more than 30 years
MEMBERS of an organised crime group (OCG) who supplied class A and class B drugs across Gwent, South Wales and Gloucestershire have received prison sentences totalling more than 30 years.
Between February and October 2021, we carried out enforcement activities throughout the south of Monmouthshire which led to the seizure of drugs, cash and mobile phones.
The phones seized not only showed their owners’ significant involvement in the supply of drugs, it also showed all those who worked with them. Over the two-year long investigation, we carried out eight warrants and more than £50,000 worth of class A and B drugs were seized, along with over £40,000 of cash. In one warrant alone, £38,000 was found in a money safe disguised as a book.
The below people were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday 26 January for conspiracy to supply a class A drug – cocaine and class B drugs including ketamine, cannabis and amphetamines:
- 49-year-old Andrew Harris from Cinderford received five years and seven months
- 47-year-old Helga Boehm from Cinderford received four years and ten months
- 35-year-old Matthew Nicholas from Newport received eight years and two months
- 33-year-old Ashley Bollen from Caldicot received eight years and one month
- 32-year-old Peter Wright from Chepstow received five years for the drug related offences – in addition to this – Wright received an additional six years and nine months for an assault, not connected to this case. These sentences will run consecutively, meaning, his final sentence is 11 years and ten months imprisonment.
All defendants plead guilty at an earlier hearing.
The senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Steven Thomas said: “We have successfully dismantled a major drugs gang who are now behind bars for their parts in peddling misery across South Wales and Gloucestershire. These men and women were not simply dealing drugs to feed their own addiction, they had made the decision to become involved in the supply of large quantities of harmful drugs to make money for themselves at the expense of others.
“We are committed to creating a hostile environment for serious and organised crime in Gwent. Illegal drugs have no place in society – they cause harm to those that become addicted to them and to their families, friends and the wider communities.
“These sentences send a strong reminder to those involved in drug supply in and around the Gwent area that we will leave no stone unturned when it comes to targeting those who involve themselves in these illegal activities.”
We’re encouraging members of the public to be our eyes and ears – help us disrupt serious organised crime. If something doesn’t feel right, it might not be. Don’t wait, report it.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger or it feels a situation could escalate call 999.
For general information you can call 101, or direct message us on social media.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted – anonymously – online or via the phone, on 0800 555 111.
Crime
Man charged with attempted murder after A44 collision near Aberystwyth
A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been charged following a single-vehicle collision on the A44 near Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened on Tuesday, June 30.
Owen Rhys-Jones, of Dol-y-Bont, Aberystwyth, has been charged with attempted murder, dangerous driving, and controlling and coercive behaviour.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before court.
Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and are asking anyone who was in the Capel Bangor area at around 8.50pm on Tuesday, June 30, to come forward.
Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed a disturbance in or around Capel Bangor, or who may have phone, video or dashcam footage of the incident.
Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police through the force’s dedicated online portal.
The force said: “We would like to thank the local community for their support while officers have carried out extensive enquiries, and to those who have supported our investigation so far.”
Crime
Man sent to Crown Court over alleged Cardigan cocaine and cannabis supply
A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been sent to Crown Court to face a series of alleged drug supply offences in Cardigan.
Harrison Casey, of Harebell Way, Brownsover, Rugby, appeared before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jul 2).
He faces six charges relating to alleged offences at Bridge Street, Cardigan, between April 7 and April 24, 2023.
The charges include being concerned in the supply of cocaine, a Class A drug, and being concerned in the supply of cannabis, a Class B drug.
Casey is also accused of possessing cannabis with intent to supply, possessing tetrahydrocannabinol with intent to supply, being concerned in an offer to supply THC edibles, and possessing flualpazolam, a Class C drug.
There were no pleas to the charges at this stage.
Magistrates sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
Casey was granted unconditional bail and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.
Crime
Family’s anguish as politicians raise fears over killer driver’s possible early release
THE WIDOW of a Carmarthenshire father killed by a dangerous driver has been left facing months of uncertainty after being told the man jailed over her husband’s death may fall under new sentencing rules.
Aaron Jones, 38, from Llanpumsaint, died while walking his dog on December 23, 2024. His death devastated his family and shocked the close-knit village community.
Daniel Douglas Wyke, from Carmarthen, later admitted causing death by dangerous driving. He was jailed at Swansea Crown Court for four-and-a-half years and banned from driving for eight years and two months.
Now Aaron’s widow, Lisa Jones, has received correspondence indicating that Wyke may be affected by provisions introduced under the Sentencing Act 2026.
The family has been told it may not know until the end of August whether the changes will affect the time he spends in custody.
Ann Davies MP for Caerfyrddin and Nerys Evans MS for Sir Gaerfyrddin have now written to the Ministry of Justice seeking assurances that Aaron’s family will be heard during any review process.
They said the uncertainty had added further pain for a family already living with unimaginable loss.
“Our thoughts remain firmly with Lisa Jones, her family and the community of Llanpumsaint, who continue to endure unimaginable grief following the tragic loss of Aaron,” they said.
“To now face uncertainty over the sentence of the man responsible for his death adds further distress at an already devastating time.
“It is vital that the Ministry of Justice listens to victims and their families. Any move to shorten sentences in cases of this seriousness must be approached with the utmost caution and sensitivity.”
Nerys Evans MS said victims and their families must remain at the centre of the justice system.
She added: “We have written to the Ministry of Justice to seek assurance that the voice and view of Aaron’s family are able to be heard as part of any process to review the sentence.”
Ann Davies also raised the case in Westminster on Thursday, July 2.
Speaking in the House of Commons, she said her constituent Aaron Jones had been killed in a hit-and-run while walking his dog, and that his widow had since received a letter from the Ministry of Justice about sentence changes under the Sentencing Act 2026.
She asked whether ministers accepted that waiting until the end of August to learn whether Wyke could be released earlier than expected was causing further distress to victims’ families.
Sir Alan Campbell, Leader of the House of Commons, said he understood the sensitivity of the case and the distress caused to Aaron’s family.
He said: “These are difficult decisions, but I understand the point about assurances as far as they can be given to families.”
He added that he hoped the Ministry of Justice had heard the concerns and said he would raise the matter directly.
The Sentencing Act 2026 received Royal Assent in January. The Government says the reforms are intended to tackle prison overcrowding, increase the use of tougher community restrictions and make greater use of supervision and tagging after release.
However, the case has highlighted the anxiety caused to victims’ families when changes to release arrangements are communicated before the full impact on individual cases is known.
For Lisa Jones and her children, the question now is not only what decision will be made, but why they must wait weeks to find out.
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