Man caught after officer hears him dealing on phone
Three are sent to prison for drugs offences
A dozy drug dealer’s criminal career came to a swift end after his phone call was overheard by a police officer in Maidstone.
Shalmuwn Hall’s gaffe landed him a 12-month prison sentence alongside fellow dealers Kieron Murphy, 21, and Christopher Tregunno, 26.
Hall, 23, was sentenced last week after he pleaded guilty to his involvement in supplying and possessing cannabis.
Tregunno, of Fairmeadow, Maidstone was jailed for 10 months after pleading guilty to the same charges, while Murphy, of no fixed address, but also known to have lived in Park Wood, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to two charges of possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.
Maidstone Crown Court heard how Hall had travelled from London to supply drugs in Maidstone and that he was arrested
‘They would have exploited vulnerable people for their own gain’
in the town centre three times in five weeks. He was first held in September last year – two days after Murphy was found in possession of one gram of cocaine and a further six half grams of the substance.
Analysis of Murphy’s phone showed he had recently texted Hall to request ‘six halves and one gram’.
Hall was arrested again four days later, this time after security staff reported seeing him drop a large bag of pills in Market Buildings. Officers uncovered a large amount of clear bags used to supply drugs. He also had £1,000 in cash.
Hall was arrested again in midOctober after a plain-clothed officer in the town centre overheard him talking to Tregunno on the phone about a drug deal.
The off- duty constable followed Tregunno and saw him meet Hall.
As Hall was about to hand over a package, he realised he had been followed and tried to run.
The officer chased both men and arrested them.
DS Suzanne Basford said: “Hall came to Maidstone with the sole intention of supplying drugs and together with Tregunno and Murphy they would have exploited vulnerable people for their own gain – damaging numerous lives in the process.
“This is something we and the courts take a dim view of and I welcome the sentences passed by the court.”