TWO Barnsley youngsters who were caught drug dealing - and subsequently found with more than £30,000 of illegal substances at Leeds Festival - have been jailed.
Joshua Hague, 20, of Park View in Worsbrough and 18-year-old Wade Taylor, of High Street, Barnsley were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court last Friday.
Hague had pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine and MDMA.
Taylor pleaded guilty to three counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine, MDMA and ketamine, and possession of criminal property in relation to recovered cash.
Both were sentenced to 45 months in a young offenders’ institution.
On Thursday, August 24, they were seen among a large group within the campsite and attempted to run off when approached by security and police.
They were detained nearby and found in possession of controlled drugs.
Cash was also recovered, and further drugs were found in their tents.
The value of the drugs recovered from them was estimated at £32,270, based on the increased street value of drugs at the festival.
Their sentencing follows four more drug dealers at the festival - two of which are from Barnsley - also being sentenced.
On October 27, Corin Armitage, of New Street, Great Houghton and 18-year-old Cody Harper, of William Street were jailed at the same court after being caught with large amounts of cocaine, MDMA and ketamine.
The drugs had an estimated street value of £8,910.
Armitage was sentenced to three years and Harper to 30 months after each admitted two counts of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, one count of possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply and an offence of possession of criminal property in relation to cash recovered from them.
A total of 56 people were arrested on suspicion of drugs supply offences at this year’s event, with the majority still on bail or released under investigation as enquiries continue.
The drugs operation was led by specialist detectives from Leeds’ programme precision team, which targets serious and organised crime, and saw plain-clothes officer utilising a range of tactics.
Superintendent Dan Wood said: “We have very sadly seen the tragic consequences that can result from young people taking drugs, and this year we had an increased focus on drugs offences, working closely alongside Festival Republic to support their safety and security operation at the festival site.
“We anticipate further charges and lengthy prison sentences will result from the ongoing investigations into others who were arrested.
“We will be continuing to work with Festival Republic next year to support their safety operation, with a particular focus on drugs offences, and we hope these latest convictions from this year’s operation will help to serve as a very strong deterrent.”
