FOUR men have been jailed for a total of more than 16 years for their roles in a drug dealing operation and a crossbow attack on a rival dealer's house.

A fifth men, Asgar Khalfe - the drug operation's 'kingpin' - was allowed to vacate his pleas as judge Nicolas Cartwright recognised the 12 year sentence he is already serving for a drugs conspiracy was linked to the case.

At the sentencing at Worcester Crown Court yesterday prosecutor Steven Bailey recapped the case for the judge who heard Tommy Lee Jauncey, 23, previously of St George's Lane, Worcester, shot a blank firing pistol at the home of Luke Bridger, as children cowered in fear.

Scott Fewtrell, 28, of Chedworth Drive, Worcester, shot the crossbow at the door of the same home, while Jake Cox, 28, previously of Mill Street, Worcester, drove Jauncey and Fewtrell to and from the scene.

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Khalfe, 35, previously of Townley Gardens, Aston, Birmingham, and Kane Ingram, 21, of Saddlers Walk, Worcester, were unanimously found not guilty of conspiracy to cause Luke Bridger actual bodily harm, following a trial which concluded earlier this week.

Jauncey, Cox, Ingram and Khalfe had previously admitted conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin in Worcester, which took place between January 1 and August 31, 2017.

The prosecutor said Khalfe, headed the 'Ozzie' drugs operation which saw thousands passed up the chain to him, as his 'lieutenants' carried out street deals on the streets of Worcester.

Kannan Siva, defending Cox, said he had been involved in street dealing for Khalfe for only two weeks, arguing he had a lesser role.

Mr Siva said at the point of being the driver the father had been addicted to drugs, and was targeted to take part in the conspiracy.

Jailing him for a total of two years and four months, the judge said although he accepted he had been recruited, an aggravating feature would be Cox would have known about the attack as there was significant planning.

Joanne Outhwaite, defending Jauncey, said he lacked maturity and at the time of the offences was suffering emotional difficulties caused by bereavement, being homeless and financial difficulties. During proceedings he was warned by the judge for talking, and Ms Outhwaite said she wanted to pass on he was sorry, and it was because he struggled to concentrate.

Jailing him for nine years, the judge said: "You were aware of the scale of the operation.

"You discharged the gun in the street - this was in the context of a feud between you and a drug dealer."

Jauncey, who is serving a six year sentence for robbery, pointed at the judge and said: "You just made a killer today."

Lynette McClement, defending Ingram, argued he had not been carrying out 100 deals a day, as the prosecution argued, but said he had been dealing to get money "to survive".

She added he was realistic about receiving a custodial sentence.

Jailing him for four years, the judge said: "You along with Jauncey were a street level supplier.

"You were working full time (as a dealer). You took a salary, and performance related bonuses.

"You were treating this as an occupation and the risk of being caught as an occupational hazard."

Ekwall Tiwana, defending Fewtrell who brought a bag in preparation for custody, said: "he is highly suggestible, he goes along with other people".

But he said he was on the "road to rehabilitation" appealing for any jail sentence to be suspended.

The judge gave Fewtrell a one year and three month jail sentence, but ordered a pre sentence report so he can make a decision on whether it will be suspended, or not, on Friday, January 24.