Drug Gang Members Sentenced Following Chaotic Supermarket Car Park Incident
Six members of an organised drugs gang have been jailed after a violent and chaotic incident at a Morrisons car park in Hereford, which saw cash flying through the air, a stabbing, and gang members brandishing machetes in full view of horrified shoppers.
Violent Scenes Unfold in Broad Daylight
The incident occurred on March 5, 2021, at the Morrisons supermarket located on Station Approach in Hereford. According to police reports, witnesses described a scene of chaos during a Friday lunchtime, with one man seen running across the car park with a knife while another gang member sustained a minor stab wound.
The supposed drug deal, involving cocaine with an estimated value of £40,000, was actually a scam designed to steal money brought to purchase the drugs. This deception quickly escalated into violence when the plan went wrong, leading to the dramatic events witnessed by members of the public who immediately alerted authorities.
Organised Crime Operation Uncovered
Police investigation revealed that the gang consisted of two groups—one from Northamptonshire and another from Wales—who were part of the same organised crime network. Their meeting at the Morrisons car park was intended for the supply of cocaine into Herefordshire, but the transaction turned violent when the theft attempt was discovered.
Detective Sergeant Jim Moore of West Mercia Police’s Hereford Proactive CID stated: "This was a detailed and complex investigation into the supply of class A drugs, and while the association between drug supply and violence is well known, this incident shows the impact this offending can have on the community."
Court Sentences Handed Down
The gang members were sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on March 6, 2026, following a thorough police investigation. The sentences included:
- Matthew Walford, 27, of Northampton: Four years for conspiracy to commit robbery and two years concurrently for cocaine supply.
- Jack Norrish, 30, of Northampton: Four years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and two years concurrently for the same offence.
- Ashley Manning, 30, of no fixed abode: 38 months for conspiracy to commit robbery.
- Jack Mooney, 31, of Corby: Two-year suspended sentence for conspiracy to commit robbery.
- Jake Forsyth, 27, of Abertillery: Three years and seven months for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
- Rebecca Edwards, 27, of Blackwood: Community order with 180 hours unpaid work for assisting an offender.
DS Moore added: "Members of the public witnessed the incident and saw Manning and Walford brandishing machetes. A proactive investigation uncovered the full scale of the operation, and the sentences are welcomed as recognition of the seriousness of the offences."
Police Commitment to Combating Organised Crime
West Mercia Police emphasised their ongoing commitment to tackling serious and organised crime in the region. The force stated that detectives will continue to pursue those involved in such offences to protect the public from harm.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the violence associated with drug dealing and the importance of community vigilance in reporting suspicious activities to authorities.
