Cocaine dealer from Workington jailed for eight years

Last updated 10:12, Saturday, 27 September 2008

A man from Workington is today starting an eight-and-a-half-year jail sentence after being caught with cocaine with a street value of more than £40,000.

Gary Rickerby, of Workington: Jailed for eight-and-a-half years after he admitted possessing cocaine, with intent to supply it

It was the third time Gary Rickerby, 35, had been jailed for dealing in Class A drugs, so he got an especially long sentence under the “three strikes and you’re out” laws designed to clamp down on major drug suppliers.

Rickerby, who was described in court as a long-term drug user, lives in Bolton Street, Workington.

He was expecting an even stiffer sentence.

When police arrested him after spotting him behaving suspiciously near his car in Workington, he told them: “I’ll get 10 years for this.”

At Carlisle Crown Court yesterday he pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply it.

Prosecuting counsel Jeremy Grout-Smith said it was thought Rickerby would have paid up to £32,000 for the kilo of cocaine found in two black binbags.

He would have made a £10,000 profit if he had been able to sell it, he said.

Judge Peter Hughes QC said it was clear that Rickerby played an important part in the drugs scene in west Cumbria.

“Not only are you supplying drugs in and around Workington, but you have contact with wholesalers outside the area to obtain the drugs in large quantities,” he said.