A drug dealer caught selling heroin and crack cocaine to an undercover police officer broke into his ex's home, cut up her clothes and stole a pack of chicken wings.
John Jones, 32, was caught out as part of a Merseyside Police operation into a Class A drugs ring known as the 'Eggy Line', which was active in Birkenhead in 2021. Jones, of Pembroke Court in Tranmere, appeared in Liverpool Crown Court for sentence today after pleading guilty to a raft of offences.
Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, told the court Jones was identified as selling drugs in Birkenhead Town Centre on June 29, 2021. He told the court: "As part of an operation in the Wirral area, numerous purchases of Class A drugs were made by undercover officers. On the 29th July, an undercover officer was on duty in Birkenhead town centre.
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"After a period of time, he was shown the way to [the defendant], on that day the defendant provided to the officer two packets of cocaine of 100% purity at 0.19g, and two packets of heroin at 42% purity."
The court heard Jones was caught selling heroin and crack cocaine again on August 9, and was arrested. However Jones was caught up in three other incidents while on bail, including a fight with a neighbour in his block of flats at Pembroke Court on June 1, 2023. Mr Blasbery said an argument had erupted which ended with Jones entering his flat and stepping out into the corridor with two knives, although he did not lunge towards the neighbour and left of his own accord.
Then on June 16 this year, Jones broke into the home of his ex partner and mother of his child, where she found he had cut holes in her coat, strewn her clothing around the bathroom and soaked it in water, and stolen random low value items including a candle holder and a "packet of chicken wings".
Jones, who has 17 convictions for 27 offences, had also kicked through the door causing significant damage. She again realised he had broken into her home on July 18, and reported him to the police.
In a victim personal statement which Mr Blasbery read out in court, she said Jones' behaviour had made her feel "anxious and vulnerable" and she feared "being watched" when she went out.
Jones admitted four counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, one of affray, two of burglary, one of criminal damage and one count of failing to surrender for skipping an earlier court date.
Chris Macmaster, defending, said his client had planned for a career in the military and joined the army, completing all of his basic training. However he said: "He completed all the training, and was three weeks from passing out but he had an issue with his knees. He was not able to shoot a gun properly, and as a result he was not passed out and was not able to start his military service."
Mr Macmaster said Jones had endured a difficult childhood living with his dad, who had a Class A drug addiction. He was living with his dad when he agreed to buy drugs for him, and from there became involved in dealing.
He said in relation to the burglary offences, he had gone through an "unpleasant" breakdown in the relationship but hoped to see his child again and rebuild "cordial" relations with his ex.
Judge David Swinnerton, sentencing, told Jones: "Your father was a drug addict. You got involved in Class A drugs because you were purchasing them on behalf of your father. If you thought you were helping your father you were not helping him at all.
"You ought to know having seen it happen to your father some of the devastation Class A drugs visit on families, individuals and radiating to the wider community".
Jones was jailed for 44 months.
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