Two men jailed for drug offences in Matlock

Ricky Dunne, 24, of Overdale, Matlock, was jailed for three years for possession of cocaine and heroin, while Thomas Stones, 25, of Chesterfield Road, Matlock, was sentenced to 28 months imprisonment for possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin.

They both pleaded guilty to the offences, and were arrested following a drugs warrant in December 2019.

Officers carried out the search following a series of reports by residents in the area about anti-social behaviour and drug misuse.

Nine people were arrested at the time of the warrant, and following further investigation, work was carried out by police officers alongside Derbyshire Dales District Council and Platform Housing to address concerns in the long term.

Joseph Heappey, 18, of Oat Hill, Wirksworth, and Tracey Marriott, 47, formerly of Overdale, Matlock, were also sentenced at the hearing at Derby Crown Court on Tuesday, July 28.

Heappey was handed a community order of 18 months and ordered to complete 180 hours unpaid work for possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, while Marriott was sentenced to a 12 month community order for permitting the supply of controlled drugs.

Ashley Dunne, 23, of Poppy Fields Close, Matlock, also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply diamorphine but will not be sentenced until a hearing later this month.

Inspector John Troup, who is in charge of policing for the Derbyshire Dales, said: “We are committed to targeting the supply and misuse of drugs within our communities.

"These sentences reflect the hard work and thorough investigation carried out by our officers who have worked in partnership with the local community and our partners to achieve this outcome.”

“Drug dealing is a serious offence which blights communities and we rely on the help and support of the public to provide us with information so that we can bring offenders to justice and keep our neighbourhoods safe.”

If you have information about drug use in your community call the police on 101, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

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