The defendants appeared as follows:
Louis Maxwell, aged 39, from Newport
Jack Griffin, aged 21, residing in Westfield Way, Newport
Ashley Coughlan, aged 42, from Caerleon Road, Newport
Ryan Battersby, aged 36, of Buttermere Way, Newport
Kory Preece, aged 25, of Mabey Drive, Chepstow
Bradley Williams, aged 38, from Llanrhidian Holiday Park, Swansea
Danny Tomlin, aged 40, of Valley Road, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire
Christopher Preston, aged 68, of Lawnside, Forest Green, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire
David Gorman, aged 41, of Manor Lane, Charfield, South Gloucestershire
Louis Maxwell was set to receive a substantial custodial sentence
Ryan Battersby was also expected to serve an extended period of imprisonment
Battersby received a 12-year sentence in 2014 following a conviction for conspiracy to murder in Newport
Judge Carl Harrison was due to begin passing sentence on the defendants within minutes at Cardiff Crown Court
During the opening of the two-day hearing on the first day, Roger Griffiths for the prosecution stated that the nine individuals were members of an organised crime group distributing either cocaine, cannabis, or both across South Wales and the South West of England
The ringleader was Danny Tomlin, who operated a garden centre enterprise named Kitts Green Nursery as a front for his activities
Tomlin had prior convictions for comparable offences, having served eight years in prison during 2023 for conspiracy to supply cocaine
There was a postponement before sentencing commenced
Proceedings were delayed until 2.30pm
Mr Griffiths informed the judge during his opening remarks that the group supplied drugs to Newport, Caldicot, Abertillery, Swansea and Dowlais in Merthyr Tydfil
Louis Maxwell was described as Tomlin’s associate
Maxwell attracted national media coverage in 2022 after he squandered a £50,000 government Covid loan on cocaine
He was imprisoned four years ago after admitting guilt to conspiracy to supply cocaine
Another delay occurred. Sentencing was rescheduled to begin at 2.45pm
Another defendant facing a lengthy custodial term was Bradley Williams, originally from Abertillery
He received a six-year sentence in 2018 for conspiracy to supply cocaine
Proceedings were about to commence. The courtroom was waiting for the judge to enter. The usher confirmed that the clerk and barristers were prepared
A proceeds of crime hearing was scheduled for November 6
Judge Harrison was summarising the prosecution’s opening statement
Police had installed surveillance equipment in Tomlin’s vehicle
The hearing was about to move to the final sentencing of each defendant
Tomlin would be sentenced first
He admitted guilt to conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis, along with cannabis cultivation
Judge Harrison stated that Tomlin held a leading position
He managed cannabis cultivation operations in Pontllanfraith in Blackwood and Porth in Rhondda Cynon Taf
The judge was explaining his approach to determining sentences for each defendant prior to delivering his rulings
The proceedings were nearing conclusion
Tomlin received a prison term of 10 years and 10 months
Coughlan was sentenced to three years and nine months
Battersby was given six years
Preston received five years
Gorman was ordered to serve four years and four months
Griffin was sentenced to six months. Given time already served, he would be released immediately under post-sentence supervision for 12 months
Bradley Williams was handed a term of five years and nine months
Preece received 15 months imprisonment, suspended for two years
Preece was required to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and undertake a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement
Maxwell was sentenced to six years imprisonment