Two men have been jailed for a total of six years and two months after being found guilty of drugs supply and weapons offences.
Richard Broadhurst, 42, of Waterworks Lane, Leominster, and Thomas Tibbs, 23, of Clinic Drive, Lye, Stourbridge, appeared at Worcester Crown Court in relation to an incident in Leominster last year.
On 12 August 2018, Broadhurst and Tibbs were involved in an altercation with a member of the public on Cranes Lane after taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
During the altercation, Broadhurst produced a machete and attacked the victim – causing injury and damage to his car.
Tibbs was seen to be in possession of a meat cleaver, which he dropped when police arrived before fleeing the scene.
Broadhurst was found at a nearby address where he was arrested and charged.
The investigation continued and Tibbs was found to be involved in a county lines drug supply operation – supplying heroin and crack cocaine into the local area. He was subsequently located and arrested following a short pursuit.
Broadhurst pleaded guilty to a number of offences including possessing a bladed article in a public place, criminal damage and being carried in a motor vehicle taken without the owner’s consent (TWOC). He was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
Tibbs admitted offences including affray, possession of an offensive weapon and TWOC, however he denied being involved in the drug offences.
Following a four day trial, he was found guilty by jury of being concerned in the supply of class A heroin and crack cocaine and possession of criminal property. He was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.
Detective Constable James Moore said: “Thankfully, incidents of this nature are rare but as a result of the quick response and good detective work, both Broadhurst and Tibbs are now off the streets and behind bars.
“West Mercia Police does not tolerate knife crime and will robustly investigate all violent crime involving knives.
“The misery drugs can cause is also well known not just to those who take them but to those in the local community as well.
“We will proactively target people we believe to be involved in drugs and use the powers we have to make sure their activity is disrupted.
“I hope the pair’s sentences not only act as a deterrent to others but also go some way to reassuring the public we will always prioritise bring offenders to justice where possible and protecting our communities from harm.”
The investigation is part of West Mercia Police’s commitment to tackling serious and organised crime as part of the force’s Protect campaign. The broad-ranging operation covers four key areas of activity:
• Pursue – prosecuting and disrupting those involved in SOC
• Prevent – stopping individuals from becoming involved in SOC
• Protect – increased levels of protection against SOC
• Prepare – reducing the impact of SOC where it occurs
For more information, visit: https://www.westmercia.police.uk/protect
