County Lines drug dealer jailed for 12 years

27 June 2019, 10:11 | Updated: 27 June 2019, 10:18

Kelmoy Brown stabbed his victim multiple times leaving him in a critical condition

The 24 year old, of no fixed address, appeared at Bristol Crown Court yesterday (26/06/19) for sentencing.

He had previously pleaded guilty to Section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, namely heroin and crack cocaine, and three counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

The charges relate to an incident in a flat in Aylesbury House, Swindon, at around 7pm on 23 December 2018.

The flat was being cuckooed by a County Lines network, which is where drug dealers from outside the area take over the home of a vulnerable person to use it as a base for their illegal activity.

In this particular case, the victim, a local man in his 30s, tried to confront Brown and ended up being viciously assaulted.

He was stabbed multiple times and suffered serious injuries, including internal bleeding and a fractured rib, and was placed in an induced coma. He has since been discharged from hospital.

Det Sgt Scott Anger, from Swindon CID, praised everyone involved in the case, including officers, staff and witnesses, for bringing Brown to justice.

He said: "This was an horrific case which very nearly ended up as an murder investigation, due to the seriousness of the injuries inflicted on the victim.

"The County Lines gang had effectively taken over this address, taking advantage of the vulnerable people living there, and using it as a base to sell Class A drugs to local users and addicts.

"When the victim had had enough and tried to challenge Brown, he was violently assaulted - in fact evidence in court revealed he had been stabbed with such force that the handle of the knife broke off.

"I would like to thank the police officers and staff who have worked tirelessly on this investigation over the past six months and also praise the bravery of the witnesses who have given evidence to allow us to put this dangerous criminal behind bars."

For more information about the work Wiltshire Police is doing to crack down on County Lines gangs please go to our website https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/article/2692/Help-us-tackle-county-lines