Skegness drug dealer jailed for 12 years

Joel Tasker, 31, created a drug-dealing operation in Skegness which ran from April 2022 to March 2023

A man who organised the sale of Class A drugs on the streets of Skegness has been jailed.

Joel Tasker, 31, created a drug-dealing operation known as the Scouse line which ran from 1 April 2022 to 30 March 2023.

Lincoln Crown Court was told heroin and crack cocaine was advertised and supplied to users in Skegness on 362 days during that period.

Tasker was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Tuesday.

A prosecution drugs expert estimated there were transactions involving 844 grams of heroin and 591 grams of crack cocaine.

Tasker was the "creator" of the line and worked alongside a second local man, Connor Stewart, to supply the drugs, the court heard.

The two men had a "turbulent relationship" but operated together, the court was told.

Tasker, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and four further charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

'Almost daily basis'

Stuart Lody, mitigating for Tasker, said: "He has admitted to being a drug dealer in Grimsby and Skegness and has made the job of the Crown Prosecution Service and the court easier.

Mr Lody told the court Tasker suffered a difficult childhood after moving from Grimsby to Liverpool where he was bullied and placed in care.

The court heard Tasker moved back to Lincolnshire as an adult and set up a successful landscape gardening business until he broke his leg playing football with one of his children.

Mr Lody said Tasker had been diagnosed with schizophrenia since being remanded into custody.

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Hirst said: "At its height the supply line operated on an almost daily basis. You were at the centre of this drugs conspiracy."

"You expected substantial financial advantage," Judge Hirst added.

Connor Stewart, 21, of Lincoln Road, Skegness, was also due to be sentenced after admitting his role in the conspiracy but failed to attend court for the hearing.

Judge Hirst issued a warrant for his arrest.

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