Ex-Manager on £140k Salary Jailed for Drug Supply

A drug dealer who once earned £140,000 annually as a construction manager has been jailed for 33 months after being caught supplying heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine.

Richard Skelly, 40, of Merthyr Tydfil, was arrested in July this year following a police operation targeting drug dealing in the area. Officers seized a Samsung mobile phone which revealed his involvement in class A drug supply.

Analysis of the phone uncovered incriminating messages including “Have you got any white mucker?”, “Sort me some gear” and “Get me a 20 bag”. Text bombs were also sent from the device, with messages such as “On all night with best about”.

Skelly pleaded guilty at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday to three counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. The court heard he has eight previous convictions, including a 54-month sentence for supplying cocaine.

Defence barrister Kirsten Murphy told the court her client previously worked as a construction manager for a railway company, earning £140,000 a year. She explained the father-of-two turned to heroin after his 17-year marriage broke down, describing his life as “lonely and chaotic” over the last decade.

The court heard Skelly is now free from drugs and alcohol and wants to become a counsellor.

Judge Vanessa Francis sentenced him to 33 months imprisonment and warned that if he is convicted of a third drug trafficking offence, he will face a significant custodial sentence.