Could this be one of the least appropriately named County Line drugs operation in Swindon? 

The "Lucky" drugs line has seen at least two of its runners snared in undercover police operations, while another of its former dealers is currently serving a 12 year stretch for stabbing the man whose flat he had taken over.

This week, runner Jamie Osbourne was spared jail at Swindon Crown Court after he admitted supplying class A drugs.  

Last October, Penhill man Lee Mapstone was jailed for 32 months for dealing to undercover police officers on behalf of the line. Recorder Alexia Power said he had been involved in a trade that causes untold misery.

Kelmoy Brown, currently serving a 12 year stretch for GBH, was working for the Lucky line when he savagely attacked the man whose bedsit he had cuckooed.

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Lee Mapstone, Kelmoy Brown Picture: WILTSHIRE POLICE

Police

Reacting to the latest sentence, Wiltshire Police’s Det Sgt Rab Macleod said: “An extensive covert investigation led to officers identifying Osbourne as being involved in the supply of class A crack cocaine and heroin in Swindon through the course of several months in 2019. 

“Osbourne is no doubt one of many people who are tempted by the lifestyle often portrayed to those getting involved in drug supply, however, the reality is very different. 

“County lines drugs gangs can have a devastating impact on those within a community as well as those directly and indirectly involved. I’d encourage the local community to help us in our fight to tackle county lines by being our additional eyes and ears and pass any information you have on to us so we can investigate and take appropriate action.”

The family man

Jamie Osbourne had a job, a partner and children. But issues at work put pressure on his relationship and he was asked to leave the family home.

Swindon Crown Court heard he fell into using class A drugs and when he struggled to meet rent payments he was approached by dealers who asked if he wanted to make some money. 

The final deal was that he would be paid in drugs. 

Prosecutor Tessa Hingston said 29-year-old Osbourne was snared in one of the undercover operations run by Wiltshire Police’s dedicated crime team last year. Those operations saw police pose as addicts to buy heroin and crack cocaine and establish the scale of out-of-town gangs dealing in Swindon.

On June 18 an undercover officer known only as Amy called the Lucky line and placed an order. She was met by Osbourne, who was on a bike and who handed over two wraps of cocaine and a wrap of heroin in exchange for £20. 

He was arrested the following day, searched and released under investigation. 
Three months later, on September 25, he was sent out to deal another three wraps of class As to an undercover officer named in court as Yasmin.

Ms Hingston said Osbourne had been arrested in a house on William Street together with an 18-year-old man from London. There was heroin and crack cocaine in the house.

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Jamie Osbourne outside Swindon Crown Court

Emma Handslip, defending, said her client had fallen into running drugs after difficulties in his relationship led him to leave the family home.

Since his arrest he had been engaging with addiction service Turning Point, with drug test results proving he was clean by the early part of 2020 and the dad-of-three was back in contact with his children.

Ms Handslip said: “This is somebody who essentially had everything, lost it all, then off his own back – I think the arrest was the trigger – then started to take steps to address his addiction.”

Osbourne, of William Street, Kingshill, pleaded guilty to four counts of supplying class A drugs.

The judge acknowledged he was remorseful, had voluntarily engaged with Turning Point and had a supportive family.

Handing down a sentence of two years imprisonment suspended for two years, Judge Jason Taylor QC said: “I am going to reserve any breaches of this suspended sentence order to myself. I remember you from January. If you come back before me again I will still remember you. 

“If you have any involvement with drugs you will go to prison. Do you understand that?”

Osbourne must complete 300 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation days, a thinking skills course with the probation service and a drug rehabilitation programme.