Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for drugs supply offences in Reading.

Matthew Ramsey, age 52, of no fixed abode, was jailed for five years and 219 days following a hearing at Guildford Crown Court on Thursday (12/2).

Ramsey previously pleaded guilty to one count of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, namely cocaine, and one count of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, namely heroin at an earlier hearing at the same court on 16 January this year.

The court ordered forfeiture and destruction of drugs and phone and forfeiture of the cash £870.

At around 12.50pm on 23 September last year, a suspected drug exchange had been seen in an alleyway on Oxford Road. Ramsey was subsequently stopped and arrested.

Ramsey was seen by police to discard drugs into a front garden. Following a search, a plastic pot containing 20 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin.

Ramsey was in possession of £870 in cash and a mobile phone which contained messages regarding drug dealing.

A premise search was then conducted at a property and a further plastic pot containing four wraps of suspected crack cocaine was located. The total street value of the drugs recovered was in the region of £290.

Ramsey was charged the following day.

Investigating officer PC Steele, based at Reading police station said: “Drug dealing affects some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and we know the impact it can have on neighbourhoods.

“Our priority is always to keep people safe, and we hope this result reassures the community that we are listening, we are taking action, and we will continue working to make Reading a safer place for everyone.”