Two Men Jailed For Reading Drug Offences

Two men have been sentenced to prison for drug offences in Reading. Dale Northcote, aged 35, of Lexington Grove, Reading, was sentenced to six years and two months’ imprisonment, while Ross Leighton, aged 37, of Loddon Bridge Road, Woodley, Reading, received a sentence of three years and four months’ imprisonment.

Both men pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, namely cocaine and heroin. Northcote also pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm and one count of affray, in connection with an unrelated incident.

The sentences follow a Thames Valley Police investigation, which began when officers witnessed a suspected drug deal on Church Street in Reading. A subsequent search of a vehicle and the men’s homes led to the recovery of 32 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, with an estimated street value of approximately £1,360, as well as £985 in cash and three mobile phones.

Northcote and Leighton were involved in the supply of harmful class A drugs into our communities, said PC Ross Hutcheson of the Reading Proactive Team. Through targeted enforcement activity and a thorough investigation, officers were able to recover significant quantities of heroin and crack cocaine before they could be sold on our streets.

Northcote carried out a violent and reckless attack that left the victim with a serious slash wound to his neck and face, injuries which could very easily have had catastrophic consequences, said Detective Constable Gareth Steward. Thanks to the victim’s courage in reporting the incident and supporting the investigation, Northcote is now behind bars where he belongs.

If you have any information about drug-related activity, you can report it to the police by calling 101 or through the online reporting system on the Thames Valley Police website.

Source: Thames Valley Police