A 36-year-old man from Hereford has been sentenced to 32 months in prison after being convicted of dealing class A drugs, specifically cocaine, in the city.
Matthew Hayward, of Charles Witts Avenue, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday, 5 November, where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to the charges.
Hayward was arrested on 19 September 2024, when police searched the vehicle he was driving. A large quantity of white powder, later confirmed to be cocaine, was found in a bag in the car’s boot, along with unused deal bags and a set of drug scales. It was also revealed that Hayward did not have a valid driving licence and was not insured to drive the vehicle.
In addition to the drug-related charges, Hayward was convicted for driving without a licence and using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance.
Hayward was sentenced to 32 months for the drug dealing offence and had any interest in his Mercedes vehicle confiscated. He was also disqualified from driving for a total of 28 months, which includes a 12-month ban plus an additional 16 months for the motoring offences.
Detective Constable Emily Holder of Hereford CID stated: “This sentence sends a clear message that we will take decisive action against those involved in drug supply. With the support of the community, we will continue to tackle the harmful impact of controlled drugs in our area.”