A court heard one of the group had a ‘false sense of invincibility’ that he ‘would not be caught’
Police smashed a major cocaine dealing conspiracy involving many thousands of pounds worth of drugs and including a landscape business boss who a “false sense of invincibility” that he “would not be caught”. High-value clothes were found at his home and he was helped by his girlfriend, who joined in the drugs enterprise and was aware of the large amounts of money that he was making, Hull Crown Court heard.
Kenny Ancliffe, 33, of Crayford Close, Greatfield estate, east Hull, and Kenny Harding, 37, of Haydock Garth, Bransholme, Hull, as well as Louis Edmundson, 25, and his girlfriend, Shelby Gaunt, 31, both of Deerhurst Grove, Sutton Park, Hull, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine. Edmundson also admitted supplying cannabis.
Helen Chapman, prosecuting, said that the four were involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine in the east of Hull and they were aware that others were also part of it. An investigation began in 2023 and a series of warrants was executed against others. Telephone data led to an investigation into the defendants.
In July 2023, a search warrant was executed at the home of another man and, by chance, Edmundson arrived and was also arrested. His phone was analysed and it was discovered that he was working with Harding and directing Gaunt.
Messages indicated that Edmundson was supplying cocaine and cannabis in the home that he shared with Gaunt and that he was directing others. Messages between Edmundson and Gaunt from June 10, 2022 to July 6, 2023 showed the money that they were making from supplying cocaine.
Edmundson was released on police bail but he continued supplying cocaine and cannabis until April last year. Gaunt would have known of his bail condition but it did not appear to deter either of them from supplying drugs.
Harding’s home was searched and police found £600 cash and half a kilo of cocaine in knitted plastic bags, with a purity of 75 to 95 per cent and a value of £14,000. There was another bag of cocaine, weighing 101g and with a 94 per cent purity and a value of £5,600.
At the home of Edmundson and Gaunt was £1,900 cash as well as cocaine worth £2,440 and £400 and cannabis valued at £60. There were scales, several mobile phones and high-value clothes.
Ancliffe had been supplying cocaine since 2020. “He had influence over those in the chain,” said Miss Chapman. He was paying another man a wage and he was expecting significant sums of money.
Nick Peacock, mitigating, said that Ancliffe pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and he had been in custody on remand for about 17 months. While in custody, he had done courses in maths, English and joinery and he was working in the prison’s servery and as a cleaner. He had two young children.
Harry Bradford, representing Harding, said that the father-of-five pleaded guilty on the day of a scheduled trial. He was “crushingly aware of the impact of his offending” on his family.
Harding had been “motivated financially” by his “conscious, self-centred” decision to get involved in the conspiracy.
“He knew there would be significant financial gain,” said Mr Bradford. “He would like to apologise for his actions in getting involved in such offending.
“He is a remorseful defendant with a real chance of rehabilitation.” He had previous convictions for affray, criminal damage and assault.
Connor Stuart, representing Edmundson, said that the offences were committed in the context of the defendant sustaining his own drug habit, which, at its peak, was heavy and daily. “He was simply not thinking,” said Mr Stuart.
“He had this false sense of invincibility exacerbated in part by drugs that he was taking and believing he would not be caught.”
Edmundson had been running a landscaping business and he faced losing this through being jailed.
“He has expressed genuine remorse and shame for his actions, particularly those involving his partner,” said Mr Stuart. Edmundson had been off cocaine and cannabis for a year and his arrest had been a “wake-up call”. He had no previous convictions but he did have a caution as a youth.
Stephen Robinson, representing Gaunt, said that she became involved through her boyfriend, Edmundson, and messages between the two of them showed her involvement. Edmundson was directing Gaunt.
“He was telling her what to do,” said Mr Robinson. “She was certainly aware of the money that Edmundson was making. There is remorse here for this behaviour.
“She is embarrassed and ashamed by her behaviour. For the last three years, she has worked for an employer who remains supportive.” Gaunt had a conviction for fraud in 2019.
Ancliffe was jailed for four years and eight months, Harding was locked up for four-and-a-half years and Edmundson was jailed for four years and two months. Gaunt was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, 100 hours’ unpaid work and 12 days’ rehabilitation.
Judge Alexander Menary told Ancliffe: “You had an influential role over others.” He said of Edmundson and Gaunt: “This was a business that was generating significant amounts of income for you both.” Judge Menary said that Gaunt played a lesser role but it was still serious offending. He told Gaunt: “You were happy to step into Edmundson’s shoes when he was unavailable.”