Thatcham Hotel Drug Dealers Jailed

4 December 2016, 06:52 | Updated: 4 December 2016, 06:57

drug dealers Thatcham Christopher Grant Jamie Masl

Two drug dealers operating in Newbury and Thatcham have been jailed for eight years between them.

Jamie Maslin, aged 28 of Bourne Road, Thatcham, was sentenced to a total of four years’ and six months’ imprisonment on the following charges on two counts of conspiracy to supply drugs, five counts of possession with intent to supply, and one count of possession of criminal property.

Christopher Grant, aged 25, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to three years’ and four months’ imprisonment on one count of conspiracy to supply drugs, one count of possession with intent to supply drugs, and one count of possession of criminal property.

Both men were sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Thursday 1 December, after they pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing at the same court.

At around 10.50pm on 12 September 2015, officers attended a hotel in Thatcham after a report of a drug dealing taking place there.

Maslin and Grant were arrested after being found in possession of MDMA, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis, with an estimated street value of £2500. Officers also seized £2225 in cash.

At around 12.40am on 17 October 2015, officer attended a pub in Midgham, where Maslin was arrested after being found in possession of MDMA, cocaine and ketamine, with an estimated street value of £1200. Officer seized £399.95 in cash. This was while on police bail for the other offences.

Both men were charged on 20 June 2016.

Investigating Officer, PC Jamie Hanks, based at Newbury Police Station, said: 

“Maslin and Grant were clearly making a living from dealing both class A and class B drugs in the Newbury and Thatcham areas, motivated by the quick financial rewards.

“They were dealing drugs in public places with no regard to the impact on the community.

“This is a great result for the community and a reminder that police take a no nonsense approach to drug dealing, continuing to prosecute dealers and seize the proceeds of their criminal activities.”