Skegness drug dealer jailed for 12 years
A man who organised the sale of Class A drugs on the streets of Skegness has been jailed.Joel Tasker, 31, created a drug-dealing operation known as the Scouse line which ran from 1 April 2022 to 30 March 2023.Lincoln Crown Court was told heroin and crack cocaine was advertised and supplied to users in Skegness on 362 days during that period.Tasker was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday.
A prosecution drugs expert estimated there were transactions involving 844 grams of heroin and 591 grams of crack cocaine.Tasker was the "creator" of the line and worked alongside a second local man, Connor Stewart, to supply the drugs, the court heard.The two men had a "turbulent relationship" but operated together, the court was told.Tasker, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and four further charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.
'Almost daily basis'
Stuart Lody, mitigating for Tasker, said: "He has admitted to being a drug dealer in Grimsby and Skegness and has made the job of the Crown Prosecution Service and the court easier.Mr Lody told the court Tasker suffered a difficult childhood after moving from Grimsby to Liverpool where he was bullied and placed in care.The court heard Tasker moved back to Lincolnshire as an adult and set up a successful landscape gardening business until he broke his leg playing football with one of his children.Mr Lody said Tasker had been diagnosed with schizophrenia since being remanded into custody.
Passing sentence, Judge Simon Hirst said: "At its height the supply line operated on an almost daily basis. You were at the centre of this drugs conspiracy.""You expected substantial financial advantage," Judge Hirst added.Connor Stewart, 21, of Lincoln Road, Skegness, was also due to be sentenced after admitting his role in the conspiracy but failed to attend court for the hearing.Judge Hirst issued a warrant for his arrest.
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North Wales Live
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- North Wales Live
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Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
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Mum stabbed to death by 'controlling' husband who tracked her down to a refuge
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North Wales Chronicle
13 hours ago
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The coroner added that it was not possible to say if Rhianan's charges would have been discontinued earlier or if it would have a 'more than minimal impact on Rhianan's death' if the NRM referral was made sooner. The coroner also found there was a missed opportunity to refer Rhianan to Nottinghamshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) when she moved to a children's home in the county. Judge Durran said: 'Derbyshire County Council was responsible for this missed opportunity to refer Rhianan to Nottinghamshire CAMHS. As a result, Rhianan was without CAMHS support for a considerable time – effectively from May 2021 to May 2022. 'I find it was a result of individual decisions or missed opportunities to make a referral in an otherwise functioning system.' The coroner said Rhianan did not have mental health support during a 'particularly challenging and difficult period', including her charges being dropped and the sessions with the deradicalisation programme Prevent. But she said it was 'too speculative' to say whether CAMHS support would have made any difference. The coroner found that Ms Carter's previous partner, who had been in prison and had a swastika tattoo, was a 'significant radicalising influence' on Rhianan. The hearing was told that Rhianan's mother made contact with an American, Dax Mallaburn, who had convictions relating to 'violent organised crime', through a write to prisoners scheme. Mr Mallaburn lived with Ms Carter from November 2017 and had 'links to white supremacist groups', the coroner said. Judge Durran said: 'I'm satisfied it's more likely than not that he played a material role in introducing and encouraging Rhianan's interest in extreme, right-wing materials.' Speaking before the conclusion of the inquest, Ms Carter said: '(Mr Mallaburn) did a lot of work in prison to be deradicalised, if you like. And so when he came out and I met him, he never showed any views.' An American neo-Nazi, whom Rhianan spoke to online and allegedly made her send explicit photos, was also a 'significant radicalising influence', the coroner found. The inquest heard that the CPS charged Rhianan without the 'full evidential picture' of her exploitation in April 2021 after she broke her bail conditions by running away from home to Sheffield. The coroner said Rhianan's placement at Bluebell House Residential Home, after she was charged, was a 'positive development' in her life and the staff 'appropriately met' her needs. Judge Durran said: 'I'm satisfied that professionals working with Rhianan were aware of her autism diagnosis. I'm entirely satisfied (staff at the children's home) were able to communicate with and support Rhianan effectively.' The inquest heard that an MI5 investigation was 'the only way to further understand the threat she might pose to national security'. MI5 investigated the girl from October 2020 until her death but had 'no indication' from intelligence gathered that she had intended to end her own life, an MI5 officer told the inquest. Judge Durran said: 'Rhianan was a talented, funny and complex young person who made a lasting impression on those around her and will be deeply missed.'
