Great Yarmouth: Drugs Gang Jailed For 19 Years

4 June 2013, 14:29 | Updated: 4 June 2013, 17:08

A gang of drug dealers in Great Yarmouth has been sentenced to over 19 years in jail.

The three men, two women and a boy were sentenced yesterday at Norwich Crown Court.

Lionel Gibson-Beltramo brought drugs from London and the West Midlands into Yarmouth over a period of eight months. His associate Darrell Richmond based himself in houses belonging to James Sutherland and Deborah Forster, and used them, plus a 15-year-old boy and a second woman, Stacey Carson, to sell heroin and crack cocaine.

On 26 June 2012 police executed a warrant at Sutherland's home on Louise Close, arresting the 53-year-old and 25-year-old Richmond. A substantial amount of drugs and money were seized.

Richmond, of Lindrop Street in London SW6, returned to Great Yarmouth in August 2012 and based himself at Forster's home on St Nicholas Road. This flat was raided by police on 13 September 2012 and Richmond was arrested again, along with 33-year-old Forster and the 15-year-old boy from London N7. Carson, who is 24 and of East Road in Great Yarmouth, was arrested later. More drugs and cash were recovered.

Richmond, Sutherland (who now gives his home address as North Street in Romford), Carson, Forster and the boy were all charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin. All five pleaded guilty.

Gibson-Beltramo, who is 28 and of Mapledene Road in London E8, was posted as wanted and was arrested on the M6 in October 2012. He was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin but denied the charges and was found guilty after a trial at Norwich Crown Court on 3 May 2013.

Gibson-Beltramo was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison; Richmond received six years imprisonment; Sutherland must spend two years in prison; Forster was sentenced to 19 months in prison; Carson received 16 months imprisonment; and the boy received an 18 month youth detention and training order.

Detective Constable Rob Stewart of the Great Yarmouth Tactical Crime Team said:

"After a lengthy investigation it is pleasing to see that some significant sentences have been handed out and members of an organised crime group have been removed from our streets. Gibson-Beltramo set up his team in Great Yarmouth who persisted in distributing drugs despite the initial warrant and arrests, and the outcome of this case should send a message that anyone involved in the supply of class A drugs can expect a term of imprisonment.

"We will continue to work to target dealing in Yarmouth, which in turn we hope will reduce other associated offending to keep our local communities safe."