Skip navigation

Gloucestershire Business News

Notorious Cheltenham drug dealer sentenced

A notorious Cheltenham drug dealer who 'threatened and exploited' two men into working for him as 'runners' has been jailed for five years three months.

Edward Crowe, 34, of Princess Elizabeth Way, whose drug dealing and anti-social yobbery have been a scourge on Cheltenham for more than a decade, carried on his latest offending even after being arrested and bailed by the police, Gloucester Crown Court was told on Friday (June 11).

When he was arrested the second time police found a 'worrying' arsenal of knives in his home, the court heard.

In 2010, police were so concerned by Crowe's racist anti-social behaviour that shortly before his release from a jail term they circulated a leaflet in the town warning residents that he would soon be on the loose again.

They were worried he would resume what was then dubbed a 'campaign of terror' and they asked anyone who saw him in an ASBO exclusion zone to report him.

At that time his offending had been so prolific that he was not allowed to enter Bridge Street, Malvern Street, Waterloo Street, Hope Street, Cobham Road, Sun Street, Queen Street and Colletts Drive in the St Peter's area of Cheltenham.

Crowe had earlier hit the headlines in 2007 when a Jewish district judge, who was also a Rabbi, locked him up at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court for racially abusing him by calling him a 'dirty Jew.'

Crowe's outburst at judge Shlomo Kreiman came during a hearing relating to charges of assault, threatening behaviour, criminal damage, stealing a car, driving without a licence or insurance, breaching a community order and possessing offensive weapons.

District judge Kreiman, from Ilford, Essex, jailed him for fourteen days for contempt of court - and ordered him to clean his cell.

The judge also gave him a lecture on Jewish history and culture after the outburst.

At the crown court last Friday (June 11) Crowe was in the dock with his 'runners' Ryan Morgan (also known as Ryan Bird), 32, of Tallow Hill, Worcester, and Curtis Hayter, 24, of Cwm Cadle, Swansea. They all admitted their roles in a drug dealing operation in Cheltenham between November 1, 2017 and September 1, 2018.

Prosecutor Tabby McFarlane said a police officer saw Bird and Crowe in a car on May 23, 2018 and witnessed them dealing drugs independently to other people.

"Both men were arrested and both had a quantity of drugs on them, along with a number of mobile phones that indicated that Crowe had five people working for him to distribute Class A drugs," she said.

"Bird told the police in an interview that he owed Crowe over £3,000 and was pressured into dealing drugs to pay back his debt. The pair were released while the case was investigated.

"On June 22, 2018 both Crowe and Bird were arrested again when they were stopped by police. On this occasion Crowe had nothing on him, while Bird tested positive for a roadside drug test. He also had £195 worth of class A and B drugs on him.

"Bird's home address was subsequently searched and police found £925 in cash, and a 'worrying amount of knives', and drugs worth £700 in street deals.

"Crowe's phone revealed that he was behind a large amount of drug dealing in Cheltenham, some of which were at wholesale quantities.

"Hayter was also arrested following the analysis of Crowe's phone and was found to have become involved because he had been threatened by Crowe due to losing drugs in his possession which had been stolen by others.

"At the beginning he was active in the drugs operation, but over time he had become subjected to a number threats from Crowe.

"Hayter's involvement was only for four months until he was stabbed on January 5, 2018 after pressure had been put on him by Crowe for 'losing' a batch of drugs which had been stolen off him."

Charley Pattison, defending Crowe, said: "He is not the same man today as he was almost four years ago. He has turned his life around and made positive steps in overcoming his drug addiction. He is currently working as an electrician's mate.

"Crowe states he had no influence over anybody and financially didn't gain greatly from this operation. He was effectively a middle man in a small chain."

Alun Williams for Bird said: "He is also a changed man having been a drug addict, a raging crackhead, who was jailed for a series of shoplifting offences to support his habit.

"He had a lesser role as he was always seeking approval from Crowe and he identified himself as being a runner for the operation.

"Having been in prison, he is now drug and alcohol free and is now the happiest he has ever been in his adult life.

Joe Maloney, for Hayter, said: "Since moving away from Cheltenham he has turned his life around. He had a recent wobble, but is now heading in the right direction for his rehabilitation. He has also rebuilt bridges with members of his family. This is the longest period in his life in which he has stayed out of trouble."

All three defendants pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and crack cocaine between autumn 2017 and autumn 2018.

Judge James Patrick told the trio : "This case is an example of the misery that Class a drugs cause. For those that deal there are high rewards and high risks. For others there is misery as people become addicted and turn to crime to fund their habits. I have to deal with your parts of perpetuating this misery onto the streets of Cheltenham.

The judge said to Crowe: "You were actively dealing, but at arm's length and had a number of runners beneath you, two of which were Bird and Hayter.

"You exploited them and you threatened them. The picture that emerges is that you were dealing comparatively small amounts to those at the bottom of the chain. Your runners were stopped in May and June 2018.

"Your arrest did not stop you from dealing. You had a significant role and it was your operation. You also had lethal weapons in your home."

The judge sentenced Crowe to five years and three months in prison.

The judge said to Bird: "You were a runner and had a lesser role in the operation. Your life so far has been ruined by drugs.

"You were not deterred by your arrest as you continued to deal in drugs on at least two occasions when you were arrested.

"You have since made good progress in your rehabilitation since these offences took place."

The judge jailed Bird for 22 months, but suspended it for two years and ordered him to attend 30 programme sessions and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Patrick told Hayter: "You were a prolific drug user in 2017 when you met Crowe and Bird and a vicious cycle ensued. You started dealing drugs to fund your own habit and were threatened by Crow who was much more sophisticated man than yourself. He exploited you and you were one of five underlings who fell under his duress for four months.

"Your role was less than Bird and for a shorter period of time so a 20-month prison is justified. However, you've worked hard to address your addiction therefore I am prepared to suspend it for two years. "

The judge ordered that Hayter attend 30 programme sessions and 28 rehabilitation activity requirement days and be subjected to a monthly judicial review.

Judge Patrick ordered the destruction of all drugs and relevant paraphernalia and mobile phones and the forfeiture of all the cash seized.

Related Articles

Versarien's revenues halve and losses rise Image

Versarien's revenues halve and losses rise

Forest of Dean-based advanced engineering group Versarien saw its revenues halve last year.

Gloucestershire company launches same-day service Image

Gloucestershire company launches same-day service

Gloucester-based Freemans Event Partners has launched a brand-new around-the-clock foodservice logistics offer.

Gloucester business expands at Elmbridge Court Image

Gloucester business expands at Elmbridge Court

Just three offices are now available for rent at Elmbridge Court, following the latest letting.

Cirencester town centre to deliver improved parking Image

Cirencester town centre to deliver improved parking

Better parking and traffic control improvements for Cirencester residents and businesses.

Copyright 2024 Moose Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission.