A man has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for supplying cocaine and cannabis.

Matthew Walduck was also sentenced for his part in importing more than 20 kilograms of cannabis to the UK from the US in packages described as ‘clothing’.

Preston Crown Court heard Walduck received deliveries to addresses in Rishton and Great Harwood from March 2022 to November 2022.

His co-defendants, Carl Taylor, Ben Pilkington and David Grundy helped facilitate the importation, whereas Walduck took on an 'unsophisticated role' according to prosecutor Paul Brookwell. 

Controlled by Mr Pilkington, Walduck organised safe addresses to store the cannabis, with police finding up to amounts of 15kg.

Defence barrister Rick Holland said: "Mr Walduck had 'struggled to free himself of his own drug and gambling addicition, choosing to sell cocaine and cannabis not in order to profit, but to settle his debts with the people he owed money to.

"Since he has been remanded at HMP Leeds, he enjoys every recerational course available to him, and now acts as a mentor for offenders who are new to the institution."

The court heard there was no successful or sophisticated planning from Mr Walduck, as he used his own personal mobile phone to contact his co-conspirators, texting Mr Pilkington about the new and unique strains of cannabis they obtained, such as 'silver haze'.

Mr Walduck, of no fixed address who previously lived in Great Harwood and Rishton, also stored the cannabis in three adresses, one of his own and two of people he was connected with in his personal life.

District Judge Richard Clews said: "Although you were simply running and helping the masterminds of the operation and had no authority of the planning of the importation, you knew exactly what you were doing.

"You say you had no idea what was inside of the parcels being delivered from Pakistan, but that must have been obvious to you.

"It seems to me that this is an appropriate sentecning, and there is a degree of optimism outside of prison for you with this work you have been doing."

Walduck was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, for intent to supply Class A drugs of cocaine and Class B cannabis, and the importation of cannabis.