Eight years for Rawmarsh drugs man

A RAWMARSH man has received eight years behind bars after police caught him apparently dealing heroin in the street.

Andrew Bell (40) of Bramfield Road was sentenced for possession of a Class A drug and intent to supply it at Sheffield Crown Court last week.

Police raided his home in February, finding 18 small packets of heroin. Plain clothes officers caught him four days later on Dale Road, Rawmarsh with £250-worth of the drug in seven packages.

Pc Brett Thompson of Rawmarsh Safer Neighbourhood Team arrested and charged Bell. He said: “I am delighted with the result.

“I hope this sends a message out to anyone else who thinks that dealing drugs in the streets is acceptable.

“It also shows that the courts will take the matter seriously with the length of this sentence, which is wholly justified.”

Sgt Bill Bell added: “We receive information during our weekly Safer Neighbourhood Team meetings directed to us from members of the public about a variety of matters.

“Often the public don’t think we do much about the problem. However, this case goes to show with the help from the public we can get great results.”

Bell has also been evicted from his home by Rotherham Borough Council for drugs misuse.

“On this occasion it has taken a long time to catch Mr Bell,” said Sgt Bell, “but all the effort has been worthwhile.”