A former Tata Steel worker and his son have been sentenced to prison for running a cocaine supply operation together, with the pair even conducting business on Christmas Day.
Father and Son Drug Trafficking
David Pickersgill, 63, was helping his son Stefan Pickersgill, 30, in the trafficking of the Class A drug, a court heard. Judge Huw Rees at Swansea Crown Court described it as "dispiriting" to see a father and son in the dock for such serious offences and told them they should feel shame.
Prosecutor Craig Jones said police investigating an unrelated drug supply operation in February arrested a suspected dealer and seized his phone. Messages and data led officers to identify the Pickersgills as upstream suppliers.
On March 2, simultaneous search warrants were executed at their homes in Port Talbot. At David Pickersgill's property, officers found 528g of cocaine worth around £15,000, 41 ecstasy tablets, empty snap-seal bags, £3,380 in cash, and a watch styled like a Rolex. At Stefan Pickersgill's house, officers found drugs paraphernalia, £470 in cash, and empty packaging from a one-kilo block of cocaine.
Phone messages showed both father and son were involved in drug supply since the previous December. David Pickersgill operated when Stefan was not available, acting on his behalf. On Christmas Day, Stefan sent a message to a customer referring to his "old man" being in contact within 20 minutes.
Sentencing
Stefan Pickersgill, of Landsbury Avenue, Margam, Port Talbot, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, simple possession of cannabis, and possession of criminal property. He has previous convictions for dishonesty, driving while disqualified, and grievous bodily harm.
David Leonard Pickersgill, of Maes y Cwrt Terrace, Taibach, Port Talbot, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, possession of cocaine with intent to supply, simple possession of ecstasy, and possession of criminal property. He had minimal antecedents of some age.
Defense barristers said Stefan was a hard worker and good father who fell into dealing due to drug debts, while David was helping his son for £100-£200 per week, having worked 22 years at Tata Steel before moving into security.
Judge Rees sentenced Stefan Pickersgill to 81 months and David Pickersgill to 63 months in prison, with half served in custody and the remainder on licence.
