Hereford cocaine dealer sentenced

A Hereford drug dealer has been sentenced to 32 months for selling class A drugs into the city.

Matthew Hayward, 36, of Charles Witts Avenue, Hereford, was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 5 November).

Hayward was arrested at his home address on 19 September 2024. A search of the vehicle he had been driving identified a large quantity of white powder - later confirmed as cocaine - was found in a bag in the boot.

There were also a large quantity of clear unused deal bags and a set of scales. He did not hold a driving licence and was not insured to drive the vehicle he had been seen driving.

Hayward was convicted of one count of possess with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A - cocaine – in September as well as driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using a motor vehicle on a road/public place without third party insurance.

He was sentenced to 32 months for the drug dealing offence, deprivation of any interest in a Mercedes car and disqualified from driving for 12 months plus a 16-month extension period, giving a total ban of 28 months for the motoring offences.