Haverhill pair jailed for a series of drug offences in the town

Two people from Haverhill have been jailed for drug offences in the town.

Kelly Atcheson, aged 50, of Sorrell Walk, received a four year jail sentence for possession with intent to supply cocaine, being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and money laundering offences

Leonard Whistlecraft, aged 41, and from Meadowsweet Close, received three years and 246 day jail sentence for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Both were jailed at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, August 12, after pleading guilty to the offences they were charged with.

The operation was an investigation into a Class A drug supply business headed by Atcheson (pictured above).

On June 4, 2020, a number of warrants were executed at various addresses around Haverhill in respect of individuals being concerned in the supply of drugs with drugs and cash seized.

Atcheson and Whistlecraft (pictured above) were both arrested on June 4 and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning and was subsequently charged.

DC Philip King from the Serious Crime Disruption Team (SCDT) said: “I am pleased to see a positive outcome where two significant offenders have been brought to justice and a drugs business, which would have undoubtedly effected the local community, has been dismantled.

“This outcome is the result of excellent proactive work from officers working on the Serious Crime Disruption Team.

“It is my hope that the offenders can now receive sufficient support that can allow them to be rehabilitated back into the community in the future so that their future contributions to Haverhill can be more positive.

“The sentences will also give them plenty of time to reflect on the consequences of their criminal activity. The supply of drugs and the harm they can cause to vulnerable people is a priority for us and we remain committed to targeting offenders and disrupting criminal activity.”

The SCDT core aim is to disrupt serious and organised gangs whose criminal activity focuses on issues such as drug supply and harmful personal acquisitive crime such as robbery/burglary. The team develop the relevant information and intelligence, conduct enforcement activity and then provide an officer who will build the case and see the investigation through to trial.