Jamie Horgan, 31, of no fixed address but previously of Hardman Street in Liverpool city centre, was sentenced to three years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. Operating under the alias 'Scouse Kenny', Horgan conducted more than 2,000 drug deals across Liverpool and Scotland, moving to the Scottish Highlands in an attempt to start anew but ultimately falling back into criminal activity.
County Lines Operation Uncovered
The investigation into county lines drug dealing identified a phone number advertising class A drugs under the nickname 'Scouse Kenny'. On March 4 last year, the device was located in the Inverness area and sent 50 texts within 40 minutes. Two days later, cell site data placed the phone in the Speke area of Liverpool. Over the next five months, the number operated in both Liverpool and Scotland, sending bulk messages to alert potential customers about the availability of heroin and crack cocaine until Horgan's arrest in September.
Prosecutor Samuel Barker noted that the phone co-located with Horgan's personal device at least 19 times, and a hire car leased in his name was also linked to the operation. Horgan had previously given his personal phone number to police officers during an address check on July 9, as he was on licence at the time.
Criminal History and Weapons in Prison
Horgan's criminal record includes 21 previous convictions for 59 offences. In December 2025, he received eight months for dangerous driving, and in 2021, he was sentenced to eight years for a string of burglaries in Widnes and Warrington, stealing jewellery, cars worth nearly £100,000, a handbag, and a purse. Some burglaries occurred while victims slept, and he even unwrapped Christmas presents during one break-in.
While on remand, Horgan was found with a broom handle fitted with three metal spikes secured by a phone cable, along with other improvised weapons. He told guards: 'I've done enough time. I know how it works. I've got a few pokies down the side of my bed. There's too many divvies on this wing. I’ve got to protect myself.' He had previously had his jaw broken in prison.
Defence and Sentencing
Defence lawyer Carmel Wilde stated: 'The defendant indicates that his life was in a bad time at the time of this offending. He had various family issues. He accepts that he was frustrated and was not in the right place mentally. Clearly, in custody, he is able to remain drug free. He accepts that this was a very foolish thing to do. Ironically, he said he moved away from Liverpool to try and get out of trouble and away from peer influences, but, unfortunately, he got involved with others.'
Wilde added that Horgan is undertaking courses with psychologists, working as a wing cleaner, and has the support of his partner of six years. Sentencing, Recorder Andrew Vinson said: 'You operated county lines drugs graft phones, originally operating in Scotland but moving down to Liverpool, during which time just short of 2,300 deals took place. You had an operational function in the manning of that phone. You must have had some awareness of the scale of the operation. You were supplying directly to end users. The offences were committed while you were on licence.'
Vinson acknowledged Horgan's family difficulties, financial struggles, cocaine use, and efforts to rehabilitate, but imposed a three-year jail term. Horgan appeared via video link from HMP Garth, wearing a grey Berghaus tracksuit top and shorts.
