Matthew Nelmes
Possession with intent to supply class A drugs and production of cannabis *
Sentence
21 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, with 130 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation sessions
Matthew Nelmes, a 53-year-old dad-of-three, allowed dealers to store heroin and crack cocaine at his home in exchange for free drugs to feed his addiction. On February 6, 2025, police stopped a Ford Mondeo in which he was a passenger on Town Street, Pinxton, Derbyshire, and discovered the drugs. A subsequent search of his home on Hillcrest Close, Watnall, revealed 32 wraps of heroin, 431 wraps of crack cocaine worth £4,600, £903 in cash, and a sophisticated cannabis grow operation with 67 plants potentially yielding 1.8kg to 5.6kg valued between £6,000 and £24,000 wholesale.
Pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs and production of cannabis. Judge Rosalind Coe KC noted that the drugs did not belong to him but were stored for others, and he was taken advantage of due to his addiction. He has unrelated previous convictions from 20 years ago.