A PAIR of dealers from Bradford have been jailed after they were caught selling drugs nearly 300 miles away in a churchyard in Exeter.

Reon Rhodes-Lazenby and Robert Noone were seen by police meeting known users next to St David’s Church, which is close to Exeter’s main station and further education college.

They were found with drugs and cash when they were arrested and after police searched the room they were sharing in a nearby hotel.

Messages on their phones showed they were both working for a County Lines supply operation using the street name Little T.

Rhodes-Lazenby, aged 22, of Thirkleby Royd, Clayton, Bradford; and Noone, aged 31, of Rowantree Drive, Thorpe Edge, Bradford, admitted possession with intent or being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine.

Rhodes-Lazenby was jailed for three years and Noone for two years and ten months by Recorder Mr David Chidgey at Exeter Crown Court.

He told them: "You had 139 wraps ready to go; ready for sale.

"The sentence must reflect the devastating effect on cities like Exeter by people travelling considerable distances to supply them.”

Mr Peter Coombe, prosecuting, said both men were arrested near St David’s Church at 5.15 pm on March 6, 2019 with nine wraps of heroin or crack and a drugs phone.

Their room at the Great Western Hotel, at the bottom of St David's Hill, was searched and 59 wraps of crack and 80 of heroin were found in a bag along with a knuckleduster and £270 cash.

DNA on the wraps came from both men and phone records showed they had travelled from West Yorkshire to Devon a couple of days earlier.

Mr Safter Salam, for Rhodes-Lazenby, said he was recruited because he owed a £200 debt for cannabis.

Mr Shufqat Khan, for Noone, said he travelled to Exeter because he thought he could find work as a labourer but it did not materialise and he was drawn into working for the drugs line.