Three Gloucester teenagers thought that drug dealing would rapidly turn them into millionaires - but their get-rich-quick dream was soon shattered by the long arm of the law, a court heard on Tuesday (February 20).

All three of them received custodial terms at Gloucester Crown Court - although two walked free with the sentences suspended.

Roman Necil, 19, of Albany Street, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin between June 10 and July 7 while Adrian Dudy, 18, of Southgate Street and Pawel Banasiak, also 18, of Charles Street admitted a similar charge relating only to one day, June 10.

Prosecutor Alun Williams said that on June 10, Banasiak and Dudy were detained by police in an alleyway between Spa Road and Trier Way on suspicion of dealing in class A drugs.

Mr Williams said: "On being detained Banasiak dropped a mobile phone which was seized and while he was being handcuffed he tried to dispose of two wraps of heroin and one wrap of crack cocaine - street deals with a total value of £30."

"He was also found in possession of a significant quantity of cash.

"Dudy was also searched but no drugs were found on him. However, he was found in possession of a quantity of cash. Dudy's DNA was found on the drugs in Banasiak's possession.

"Both men's home addresses were searched and their phone's confiscated. While in the possession of the police both devices received calls from Necil.

"Banasiak's home revealed 27 individual wraps of Class A drugs. There was also other evidence of drug paraphernalia. A small quantity of cannabis was found at Dudy's home address, consistent with personal use."

The prosecutor then explained about Necil's arrest on July 7 in Gloucester Park.

"When he was challenged by police he admitted that he had three wraps of cocaine on him, and was in possession of a large knife on the same occasion.

"Necil was found to be in possession of a number of white rocks and a number of mobile phones, which were seized and analysed.

"His home address was also searched and drugs to the value of £790 - both cocaine and heroin - were recovered. They had already been split into street deals. A list of drug users and their telephone numbers was also discovered."

Mr Williams suggested that Necil occupied a 'managerial role' with Dudy and Banasiak being his street dealers.

The court was told that Necil's phones had evidence of dealing of drugs with some messages discussing amounts of £1,000 of class A drugs.

"It is obvious Necil was contacting those above him in the chain and with others below him.

The prosecutor added that in a separate, unrelated matter, Necil was also before the court to be sentenced for threatening to send two videos of sexual activity to others in August 2021 and June 2022.

Lee Mott for Necil said: "For most of the indictment period he was a 17-year-old youth, and immature. He thought that he could become a millionaire by dealing in drugs. Since the age of 14 or 15 he was under the influence of less desirable members of society.

"Since his arrest he has done everything to stay away from this scenario. He is trying to put his past behind him.

"He maintains that this was not a massive operation but fully admits he was the contact for those above and below him in the drugs chain. He was effectively a co-ordinator, rather than being a boss.

"He is fully remorseful for his actions and has matured significantly since this period. He is no longer participating in this world and has disengaged from it.

"Necil is fully aware that he will be sentenced more heavily than his co-defendants, because of his additional charges and his expectations have been managed."

Jason Coulter, for Dudy, said: "He is a young man who is immature. He has been extraordinarily open with the pre-sentence author and states that since his arrest he has effectively become a recluse as he no longer socialises with others and is keeping his head below the parapet. He is very eager to continue a career as a full-time landscape gardener.

"A real life lesson has been learnt by Dudy."

Sarah Jenkins for Banasiak said: "There has been a significant delay in bringing this case to court. He was 16 at the time of his arrest, and is now 18, preventing him from being sentenced at the youth court.

"I suggest that because of his age he could serve his sentence in the community. He has had experience of proper employment in the intervening period. Banasiak states that he got involved because of peer pressure and because of him immaturity he didn't have the means to stand up for himself.

"He is remorseful about his actions. There is no bar to him undertaking any unpaid work."

Necil pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and diamorphine between June 10 and July 7, 2022. He also admitted being in possession of an offensive weapon, a kitchen knife in Gloucester Park on July 7, 2022 and threatening to send two videos of sexual activity to others in August 2021 and June 2022.

Banasiak and Dudy pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and diamorphine on June 10, 2022 while Dudy also admitted being in possession of a small quantity of cannabis on the same occasion.

The judge, Recorder James Bromige told the three defendants: "By the time you were all charged, you had attained the age of 18 and this is why you are appearing at the crown court as adults to be sentenced today and not in the youth court.

In sentencing Banasiak to a prison term of 18 months, suspended for two years, Recorder Bromige said: "You thought this was easy money and entered into drug dealing to make a significant gain for yourself. However, I have regard that you were a youth at the time in imposing the sentence I have made.

"This includes carrying out 175 hours of unpaid work and attending 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days."

Turning to Dudy, Judge Bromige said that he was imposing a 21 month prison sentence, but would suspend it for 24 months and added: "You had a significant role making a profit of around £500 every three days. During your exposure to this operation you must have realised the scale of it.

"I note that you are at the crossroads in your young life and have taken steps to insulate yourself and withdraw from your criminal contacts, demonstrating that you are intent on turning your life around."

The judge told Necil that he was in a different position to the other two defendants because he has pleaded guilty to the possession of a knife and threatening to send intimate videos of a woman to others in a completely separate matter. Thankfully you did not carry out this threat.

Recorder Bromige added: "You had a significant role in the drugs operation, which was aggravated by being in possession of a knife. I have regard that you were a youth at the time.

"However your age and lack of maturity has a significant impact on the sentence, which I have adjusted to take these factors into account.

"You are not the first young man appearing in this court believing that carrying a knife will protect you and inevitably you would take action against those confronting you. Sadly and tragically people like you end up using the knife to wound, maim and to kill in trying to have the last word."

The judge sentenced Necil to a prison term of 27 months and subjected him to a restraining order not to contact his female victim by any means for three years.

The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of all the drugs and associated paraphernalia, the destruction of the knife and confiscation of all cash.