London drug-pusher with sub-machine gun forced Yarmouth man and woman to peddle crack and heroin

Leanne Newsome was jailed for 2 years 6 months for two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. Picture: Norfolk Constabulary (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Police carried out a raid at an address in Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth, in August last year.

Norwich Crown Court heard how 'extremely intimidating' Soloman Oghene - who had a sub-machine gun and 'formidable' knives - coerced a man into selling class A drugs after making threats to harm him.

Oghene was arrested at the address in Yarmouth and his co-defendant Leanne Newsome was arrested later.

The court heard Oghene, who was part of a gang, had come up from London and set himself up in Newsome's flat, armed with the weapons.

Newsome, who had lived in the flat above the victim, was a class A drug user, and the victim had come to her to ask for drugs 'on credit'.

Oghene agreed and the victim was given heroin and crack cocaine but told he must pay back £50.

It was agreed the money would be paid back on August 19 but a couple of days before Newsome visited the victim to say that Oghene wanted him to 'start dealing for him'.

He initially refused but agreed after seeing the sub-machine gun and ammunition.

Newsome, 31, whose address is William Kett Close, Norwich, appeared for sentence after previously admitting two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Ian James, mitigating for Newsome, who has 24 previous convictions for 41 offences, said she had been 'picked on' by an 'extremely intimidating man' who was quite a sophisticated and serious criminal.

She was jailed for two and a half years.

Oghene, 31, of no fixed abode, has admitted drugs offences, possession of a firearm and possession of a prohibited weapon and will be sentenced on June 9.