TWO men have been sentenced for their parts in a County Lines crack cocaine and heroin plot foiled by police in Worcester.
Drug dealer Oliver Brighton also robbed a scared 13-year-old boy with a knife, Worcester Crown Court heard.
Naomi Nelson-Cofie, prosecuting, said Brighton, of Chestnut Walk, Worcester, was in Stalls Farm Road, Droitwich, on March 20 last year when he spoke to the boy asking him "Are you selling drugs?"
The prosecutor said the boy had thought it was a strange question, before Brighton then lifted his top to reveal a knife in the waistband of his jogging bottoms, pulling it up a little more so that the boy could fully see it.
"The victim was scared, he thought he was going to be stabbed or killed," Miss Nelson-Cofie said.
Brighton ordered the boy to hand over his bag before the victim did and rode off on his bike.
After his arrest a phone seized from Brighton revealed he had been involved in the dealing of cannabis, adding he had a "significant role".
John Brotherton, who also prosecuted, said on July 27 last year police were in St John's where known drug users were.
He said Brighton was seen in an alleyway making an exchange before an arrest.
"He had 14 street deals of heroin, and 12 street deals of crack cocaine on him," Mr Brotherton said.
The prosecutor said the crown had viewed Brighton's role in the cocaine and heroin drug dealing as a "runner", being directed by others where to go.
The court heard Brighton had 11 convictions for 22 offences and had committed offences while on community orders and police bail, while the class A drug dealing took place when Brighton was on a suspended jail sentence.
Mr Brotherton said Steven Edwards' arrest came about after his flat in Broad Lea Close, Worcester, was raided on August 2 last year.
Recovered from the property were 17.26 grams of crack cocaine and 1.85 grams of heroin.
Edwards later admitted an offence of permitting the use of premises for the supply of class A drugs.
The prosecutor added Edwards had 26 convictions for 58 offences - eight relating to drugs.
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Lee Egan, defending Brighton, said the 20-year-old had had a "miserable upbringing" and having spent time in custody for the first time in his life Brighton "never wants to go back".
Mr Egan said Brighton was showing signs he wanted to be rehabilitated as he had been using in time in custody for education and training adding: "There is more to him than he has displayed through his offending".
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Niall Skinner, defending Edwards, highlighted that the 41-year-old had already spent seven months remanded in custody.
Judge Nicholas Cartwright said Brighton was being sentenced for "serious offences" including the robbery.
"You did more than just tell him you had a knife, you showed it," the judge said.
He jailed Brighton for a total of five years in a young offender's institution.
Sentencing Edwards the judge said his home became a "cuckoo's nest" for the supply of class A drugs in Worcester, handing him a year in prison.
The pair appeared on videolink for the sentencing hearing on Friday, (March 3).
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