County lines brothers' drugs sentences increased

James and Josh Mason's sentences were increased at the Court of Appeal

Two brothers have been given extended jail terms at the Court of Appeal for running a county lines drugs operation.

James Mason, 33, and his brother Joshua, 25, from Liverpool, recruited nine young people in Oswestry, Shropshire, to distribute crack and heroin.

One of them was just 14, and many were known to social services.

James Mason's sentence was increased from seven to 10 years; Josh Mason's from six to eight years.

The brothers were part of an organised crime gang which operated the scheme, known as the Boris Line, between July 2018 and February 2020.

Both men took an active role travelling between Merseyside and north Shropshire to supply drugs and send marketing messages to hundreds of drug users around Oswestry.

Unduly lenient

The pair were originally jailed at Shrewsbury Crown Court in August.

Their sentences were reviewed by the government's solicitor general, Michael Tomlinson KC MP, who considered them unduly lenient and referred them to the Court of Appeal.

Mr Tomlinson welcomed the increased jail terms, saying that drug use had a "devastating impact on local communities" and that the young age of some of the people recruited made the case "even more appalling".

"I hope this case serves as a strong warning that those responsible for distributing hard drugs on our streets will be punished," he added.