Matteo Crossman, 19, of Mazurek Way, Haydon Wick, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court today (14/03) after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin, and possession of criminal property.

Crossman was arrested by officers from the Swindon Fortitude team in December following an extensive investigation into juvenile drug runners being exploited in the Broadgreen area of the town.

PC Nick Finning, of the Fortitude team, said: “Crossman would exploit young people by using them to deliver drugs on his behalf in the central Swindon area, which caused misery to residents and families within the area.

“By exploiting these young people, Crossman was able to live a lifestyle beyond his means with frivolous spending on things such as lavish music videos, which he then paid a company to generate views on to bolster his image.

“Crossman had no regard for the pain and destruction he caused to families involved or the long term consequences on the children he ‘employed’ and was more focussed on the image of himself he was trying to portray, and living a lifestyle he could not legitimately achieve.”

In addition to his prison sentence, the court also ordered the forfeiture of cash and high-value clothing seized.