A WORCESTER man has been jailed for his part in a foiled £85,000 drug deal.

Bryn Jones was sentenced to 26 months in prison almost a month after his co-conspirators because he failed to turn up to court and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Ryan Harford, aged 30, of Christ Church Road, Tolladine, Worcester, was sentenced to three years and Luke Parkins, aged 21, of Medway Road, Ronkswood, Worcester, two years for their part in the deal.

Jones, of Trefoil Close, St Peter’s, had previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

The three were arrested after an investigation by West Mercia Police serious and organised crime unit (FSOCU) into the criminal activities of Harford, which led them to the handover of 2.14 kilograms of cocaine – with a street value of £85,000 – in the car park of the Perdiswell House pub on September 12, 2008.

West Mercia Police said the deal was between a fourth man – Tom Green, a 19-year-old student from Worcester University – and 35-year-old Alan Britton, a known drug dealer from Wolverhampton.

Jones, aged 26, was in Amsterdam on a stag do at the time of the handover and phone records led police to link him to the crime.

Adam Western, defending, said there was a clear distinction between the three men, with Harford having a long history of offences and Parkins having none.

He felt his client was closer to Parkins than to Harford as, although he did have previous convictions, none were for drugs – and should be sentenced accordingly.

Mr Western said his client’s long-term partner and mother of his son had just been diagnosed with suspected multiple sclerosis, which meant he would have to take on more of the childcare.

Mr Western said: “The idea of prison does fill him with fear.”

Jones was given a custodial sentence of two years and two months, which will be followed by a period on licence.

Judge Toby Hooper said: “I accept you are a person with no previous drugs offences.

“You have serious personal mitigation which Mr Western has put forward.

“This sentence then combines justice with mercy.”

FSOCU’s temporary Detective Sergeant Mark Powell said: “We are satisfied that Jones finally faced the court today and received his sentence.

“This case saw collaboration by a number of West Mercia Police departments and prevented a large amount of class A controlled drugs reaching the streets of Worcester and the surrounding areas.

“This is another example of a successful police operation that shows that any illegal drugs distribution will not be tolerated in or around the West Mercia Police area.”