Hereford drug dealer of Withington jailed

Neil Gilbert was sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment at Worcester Crown Court after pleading guilty to at earlier hearings to two counts of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug - cocaine, two counts of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug - heroin, possession with intent to supply a class A drug - cocaine, possession with intent to supply a class A drug - heroin, and being concerned in the supply of a class A drug - LSD.

Gilbert was first caught when officers stopped him on Widemarsh Street on October 7, 2024 after he was sighted in an area known for drug supply acting suspiciously.

The 47-year-old was already under investigation at that time following his arrest in June 2024 over class A drug supply.

Following a struggle with officers, he was found in possession of a quantity of heroin prepared into street deals.

Phone evidence showed that he was concerned in the supply of class A drugs and he was subsequently charged with drug supply offences.

A trial was scheduled for October 2026, however on August 11 this year, Gilbert was found at an address in Hereford, where he was searched and found in possession of quantities of heroin, cocaine and LSD, with amounts seized deemed to be consistent with dealing.

He was arrested, and phone messages recovered indicated that he was indeed concerned in the supply of these drugs.

Gilbert, of Withies Close in Withington, was charged and remanded to prison and pleaded guilty to the above offences on September 7 and October 8 at Worcester Crown Court.

Yesterday he was sentenced to a total of five years and six months at the same court.

Detective Constable Simon Caine of Hereford Proactive CID said: “We welcome the custodial sentence handed to Gilbert.

"Despite already being under investigation and awaiting trial for serious drug offences, he continued to supply class A drugs, showing a blatant disregard for the law and for the harm his actions caused.

“The supply of drugs such as heroin and cocaine fuels addiction, exploitation and wider criminality, causing misery for our communities.

“Gilbert was caught on more than one occasion with drugs prepped for street-level supply, and evidence recovered from his mobile phones clearly demonstrated his involvement in dealing.

“We remain committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs in Herefordshire and will continue to identify, target and bring before the courts those who profit from this harmful criminal activity.”