An A grade student caught dealing drugs less than three years after he was convicted of assisting a murderous gang has been jailed.

Alfie Sims, 20, was told by a judge at Oxford Crown Court on Tuesday he ‘couldn’t tell him what a chance he’d been given’ to only receive three years in custody - after he’d been caught with £2,500-worth of heroin and crack cocaine at the Horspath athletics ground in May.

By chance, it was the same judge – Recorder Michael Roques – who as a prosecuting barrister built the case against Sims for perverting the course of justice by conspiring to dispose of key evidence following the murder of Christopher Lemonius in Blackbird Leys in 2017.

Sending him down for three years, Recorder Roques said: “You are, it seems on the face of it, a hardworking young man trying to set up home with his partner and earning money through lawful means.

“I have read a reference from Peter Webb, who speaks of what a reliable and keen worker you are. I have read an eloquent letter from you which gives the truth to [your barrister] Mr du Feu’s representations that you were a successful student.

“It is therefore terribly, terribly sad that you find yourself before the court once again to be sentenced for drug dealing.

“It is a terrible offence; that you’ve indicated you understand all too well. People die as a result of drug overdoses. If they don’t die their lives are ruined in any event by the effects that crack cocaine and heroin have on their lives.

“It follows that custodial sentences - and sentences of some length - are always imposed by the courts for street level drug dealing.”

Alfie Sims' custody shot Picture: THAMES VALLEY POLICE

Prosecutor Steve Molloy told the court that Sims had run from officers as they tried to speak to a group of young men at Horspath athletics ground on May 12.

He was seen throwing two packages over a garden fence – but was unable to scale the fence himself. The young man was found to have jettisoned a total of 16g of heroin and almost 11g of crack cocaine, worth an estimated £2,565 on the street. He also had a ‘burner’ phone typically used by dealers and £243 in cash.

Peter du Feu, mitigating, suggested that a box of Stanley knife blades found on his client may have been tools of his trade as a painter and decorator.

Despite his previous convictions, which included dealing class A drugs, he had been a good student – predicted A and B grades. He had fallen in with the wrong crowd in Blackbird Leys and came under pressure to deal drugs. Upon his release from custody he hoped to move away from the area.

Sims, of Blackbird Leys Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty at the magistrates’ court to possession with intent to supply class A drugs, possession of a blade and possession of criminal property.

Recorder Roques ordered the forfeiture of the drugs, cash and blades, but refused an application by the Crown for the forfeiture of the £950 Moncler jacket Sims was wearing upon his arrest.

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