MEMBERS and associates of a Pontypool and Cwmbran cocaine gang led by a cage fighter are due to be sentenced today.

Boss Ashley Beaumont, 25, of Hillside Drive in Pontypool, got his school friends as well as his girlfriend involved in the gang, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Dean McCann, 24, of The Turnstiles, Newport; Nathan White, 30, of Oaklands Road, Pontypool; Christopher Evans, 31, of Park Close, Henllys; Adam Barker, 24, of The Woods, Pontypool; Thomas Filer, 23, of Station Street, Abersychan; Darren Pinkey, 31, of Bagley Court, Thornhill; Marcus Purchase, 25, of Viaduct Court, Pontypool; Ben Rodgers, 22, of Turnpath Road, Pontypool; and Chelsea Barnes, 22, of Hillside Drive, Cwmfields, are also due to be sentenced.

Beaumont slept with a stun gun under his bed “in case he had any unwelcome visitors”, his barrister David Elias said, claiming it was defensive.

Ieuan Bennett, prosecuting, said many of the defendants had become involved to pay off their own drug debts.

Dean McCann was said to owe around £16,000.

The court heard Chelsea Barnes enjoyed “lavish” overseas holidays with her boyfriend Ashley Beaumont totalling £14,777 but travel agents became suspicious because they tried to pay for trips using cash.

All ten defendants except Barnes, White, Pinkey and Rodgers will be sentenced for conspiracy to supply cocaine after admitting the charge.

Nathan White admitted supplying cannabis, Barnes admitted converting criminal property and Rodgers and Pinkey admitted possession of cocaine.

In addition, Beaumont admitted possessing a prohibited weapon, McCann admitted possession of 294g mephedrone and burglary and Evans admitted fraud.

The offences took place between 2009 and 2013.

Mr Bennett said documents found at Beaumont and Barnes’ address indicated the business could have had a possible monthly turnover of around £84,330, with at least 50 regular buyers in the area.

Proceeding.