Leighton Lewis (Image: South Wales Police)
Last Updated: 5 minutes ago
A 33-year-old man who operated two dedicated phone lines to sell heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine has been sentenced to more than three years behind bars.
Leighton Lewis, of Highfield Farm Lane, Llantwit Major, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing after admitting three counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Judge Paul Hobson handed him a total sentence of three years and two months’ imprisonment.
The “Leighton lines”
The operation came to light when messages sent by Lewis were discovered on the phone of a separate drug supplier. Investigators identified two phone lines – dubbed the “Leighton lines” – which contained exchanges about debts, quantities, pricing, and customers.
Prosecutor Rose Glanville told the court that bulk text messages had been distributed through these lines to advertise the sale of heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine. Lewis also directed other individuals to make use of both lines, the court heard.
Officers were able to connect the lines to Lewis through references to his daughter and family associates, along with checks on his banking and social media activity. He was classified as a “street dealer” who maintained regular contact with an upstream supplier.
Arrest and evidence
Lewis spent two months evading police before handing himself in following a public appeal by South Wales Police. He was arrested in January this year.
When found, he was in possession of a Nokia 105 handset – which he tried to dismantle – and a Samsung Galaxy headset.
Previous offending
The court was told Lewis has 16 previous convictions, though his only prior drug-related offence was for possession of heroin.
Mitigation
Defence barrister William Bebb told the court that Lewis had spent four months on remand, during which time he had actively sought help for his addiction to heroin and cocaine – an addiction he said was the driving force behind his offending.
Despite his drug dependency, Lewis had held down steady work and managed a team of roof workers over a number of years. He is a father of three.
