MEMBERS of a Pontypool and Cwmbran cocaine gang led by a cage fighter have had their appeals against their sentences thrown out by top judges.

Gang leader, Ashley Beaumont, 25, of Hillside Drive in Pontypool, got his school friends, as well as his girlfriend, involved in the gang.

He was ultimately jailed for ten years and eight months, with four of his friends jailed for a total of nearly 25.

Dean Richard McCann, 26, Nathan James White, 31, Thomas Jack Filer, 23, and Marcus Purchase, 24, were all prosecuted over the major drugs conspiracy.

All four men challenged their sentences yesterday claiming they were far too harsh, but had their complaints thrown out by three senior judges.

Mr Justice Lewis said McCann had played a "significant role" in the plot and Purchase was Beaumont's "right-hand man".

Filer had been involved as a "street dealer and collector of debts".

"He was motivated by financial gain", said the judge, adding that his role in the network was also "significant".

In White's case, the judge, sitting with Lord Justice Davis and Mrs Justice Lang, said the terms of his crime prevention order were "necessary and proportionate".

Crown lawyers said their narcotics operation had the potential to turn over around £20,000-a-week.

McCann, of The Turnstiles, Newport, received a total ten-year term at Cardiff Crown Court in November last year for conspiring to supply cocaine and burglary.

The victim of his burglary was said to have been so traumatised that he moved house.

Purchase, of Viaduct Court, Pontypool, was handed a term of seven years and four months after admitting the cocaine plot.

Filer, of Station Street, Pontypool, got five years and four months after pleading guilty to the same charge.

And White, of Oaklands Road, Pontypool, received a 21-month suspended sentence and a "serious crime prevention order" after admitting his part.

The judge who jailed the gang said he was imposing tough "deterrent" sentences to help root out the "evil drugs trade" in the Torfaen area.

  • Ashley Beaumont, 25, who was jailed for ten years and eight months in November last year, did not appeal his sentence.