Tony Mann, 28, and Roxanne Gilder, 33, were found in possession of 118g of cocaine, after being searched by officers from the organised crime unit
Tony Mann, 28, was found to be involved in the supply of cocaine alongside his partner Roxanne Gilder, 33.(Image: South Wales Police)
A couple were found to be cocaine dealers with messages on their phone revealing they were directing drug runners to supply to customers. A search of a property resulted in the discovery of 118g of cocaine as well as tick lists which revealed the amount of money owed to them.
Tony Mann, 28, and Roxanne Gilder, 33, were arrested on August 23 by officers from South Wales Police’s organised crime unit in Tylorstown, Rhondda. Mann was searched and found in possession of £205 in cash and a phone which was seized.
A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Thursday heard a warrant was carried out at the home of Gilder in Penrhys Road, where drug paraphernalia was found along with a tick list, a knuckleduster, an amount of uncounted cash in a bottle and another phone. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.
Officers also found a takeaway pot containing 118g of cocaine, a white rock and a green wrap in his underwear.
At Mann’s address in Miskin Road, officers found two SIM cards and a diary.
The phone found at Penrhys Road contained messages which indicated both defendants had used the phone to direct drug runners.
There were also messages about drug debts they owed and were owed to them.
Mann, of Miskin Road, Trealaw, Tonypandy, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and being concerned in the supply of cocaine. He has six previous convictions for possession of cannabis and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Gilder, of Penrhys Road, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of an offensive weapon. She is of previous good character.
In mitigation, the court was told Mann was abandoned by his family and for a period was living homeless in Swansea. Gilder was said to have played a “lesser and subordinate” role to her co-defendant.
Sentencing, Judge Vanessa Francis said: “(Mann), having been a drug user yourself, you became indebted to your supplier and began selling drugs in order to pay off your debt. You involved your partner Gilder to do that.
“You weren’t simply handing out small amounts of drugs to street users, you were involving other people to run for you to pay off their own debts. This was a more substantial, well thought of, professional operation than someone standing on a street corner and dealing drugs to one or two people.”
Mann was sentenced to a total of 57 months imprisonment.
Gilder was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, and was ordered to carry out a 15 day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.