Drug dealer jailed after cuckooing victim

Simon Huckvale was found in possession of more than £100,000 worth of drugs

A drug dealer who was caught with Class A drugs worth more than £100,000 has been jailed for four years.

Simon Huckvale, 36, of White Castle, Toothill, who was arrested in December at a house in Toothill, West Swindon, was also accused of 'cuckooing' - where the home of a vulnerable person is taken over by a criminal.

During the arrest Swindon Crown Court heard he initially tried to run at police officers, before attempting to flee instead.

He eventually pleaded guilty with intent to supply crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis, being concerned in the supply of heroin, and for possessing criminal property.

Searches of the property he was arrested at uncovered more than 200g of cocaine, 500g of crack cocaine, nearly 400g of heroin and more than a kilo of cannabis - an amount that could have yielded more than £120,000.

Huckvale was jailed for four years at a sentencing hearing at Swindon Crown Court on 9 June.

Speaking on behalf of Wiltshire Police PC Thomas confirmed his crimes had involved cuckooing for the purpose of supplying drugs, adding: "This practice often involves the most vulnerable in our society, who are then controlled by the criminal through the use of threats, leaving them feeling trapped in their own homes."

"We also know from speaking to members of the public that Huckvale's arrest has had a significant impact on the supply of drugs within the community," he added.