A participant in Swansea’s notorious Mayhill riot has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in orchestrating a heroin and cocaine distribution network, a court heard this week. Ryan Sarsfield, previously linked to violent disorder in the city, assumed control of a well-known drugs line following the apprehension of its former operators. With the assistance of his partner, Amy Jeffreys, Sarsfield ran the illicit enterprise from her Townhill home, placing both themselves and their community at risk.
The investigation into the criminal activities began earlier this year, when South Wales Police detected the persistence of a so-called “Pounds” drugs line. Despite the conviction and detainment of previous operators, officers noticed the operation continuing to send out bulk marketing messages offering class A drugs. Police soon realised that the line was now in new, equally experienced hands.
Analysis of mobile phone data pinpointed the line’s continued mobile activity and, crucially, its location. Detectives monitored the “Pounds” line as it settled at an address in the Townhill area, drawing their attention to a local residence. On 13 March, Sarsfield was seen leaving Amy Jeffreys’ Gomer Road property and was pursued by officers on foot before being apprehended.
A subsequent search of Jeffreys’ home yielded a significant haul. Police recovered over 60 grams of heroin, four sets of weighing scales, several mobile phones, and nearly £1,500 in cash. During the search, Jeffreys directed officers to a wardrobe in the bedroom, openly acknowledging the presence of illegal items. It later transpired that both Sarsfield’s Samsung and a Nokia found in Jeffreys’ coat pocket had been used to operate the “Pounds” drugs network.
In the courtroom, the prosecution detailed how the defendants facilitated the sale and supply of heroin and cocaine to local users. Sarsfield, aged 36 and now of no fixed abode, refused to grant police access to his mobile devices, complicating investigators’ task of fully uncovering the network’s extent. Nevertheless, he admitted to possession with intent to supply heroin, concern in the supply of heroin and cocaine, as well as possessing criminal property.
The court also learned of Sarsfield’s longstanding history of prior convictions—18 in total, covering 39 separate offences. Notably, he had previously served a custodial sentence related to cocaine supply and was sentenced again in 2022 for his role in the Mayhill riot, which saw vehicles set ablaze and serious public disorder unfold across Swansea.
Amy Jeffreys, 28, who also admitted her role in the supply of heroin and cocaine, acknowledged her own struggles during the hearing. She described being addicted to cocaine at the time and conceding that she allowed her home to be used as a base for Sarsfield’s activity. Jeffreys, who had a suspended sentence for an unrelated conviction and was enrolled in a drug rehabilitation programme, had previously been warned by the court about the precariousness of her circumstances.
Both defence barristers highlighted the defendants’ troubled personal histories and the challenges that led them to their present predicaments. Sarsfield’s counsel noted the “murky” world of drug dealing and the lingering debts left by previous arrests, while Jeffreys’ representation emphasised her recognition of the destructive impact of addiction and her efforts to turn her life around while in custody.
Judge Huw Rees addressed both defendants directly during sentencing, expressing particular concern about the impact of drugs on their lives and loved ones. Remarking on Sarsfield’s age and history, the judge noted the futility of wasting a life in and out of prison. He urged Jeffreys to reflect on the family consequences of drug abuse and the choices she had made.
In light of their guilty pleas, Sarsfield received a prison term of four and a half years, while Jeffreys was sentenced to three years. However, due to a previously activated suspended sentence, Jeffreys will now serve an additional six months, bringing her total custodial time to three and a half years. Both will be required to serve part of their sentences behind bars before being released on licence, with conditions to encourage their rehabilitation in the community.
This case once again highlights the pervasiveness of organised drug crime and its ripple effects on individuals, families, and neighbourhoods, underscoring the enduring challenge for law enforcement and social services in responding to addiction and criminality intertwined.