Two men already serving prison sentences for a petrol bomb attack on a pensioner's home have been given additional time for supplying cocaine and cannabis. Auryn Gustur, 20, and Alfie Wheeler, 20, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday for sentencing after admitting involvement in the supply of class A and B drugs.
The pair were among four men who travelled from Weston-super-Mare to Ferndale, Rhondda, in July 2025 and set fire to the home of grandmother Carol Ford on Protheroe Street. The attack was in retaliation for a £137,000 drug debt owed by her grandsons, Matthew and Gavin Ford.
Drug evidence found after arrests
Following their arrests for the arson, police attended the homes of both Gustur and Wheeler and found drug paraphernalia, including traces of cocaine and cannabis, as well as packaging used to hold substances measured in kilograms. Their mobile phones contained messages suggesting they were working together to build a drug supply business between November 2024 and July 2025.
The court heard their roles were categorised as "street dealers" selling drugs for financial gain. Both men pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs of class A and B.
Sentences imposed
Judge Paul Hobson sentenced both Gustur and Wheeler to 32 months detention in a young offenders institute, to be served concurrently with their existing arson sentences. Gustur, of Russell Avenue in Weston-super-Mare, is already serving 10 years and six months imprisonment with an extended licence period of five years for the arson. Wheeler, of Hosegood Drive in Weston-super-Mare, is serving eight years imprisonment for arson with an extended licence period of five years.
The court heard how, in July last year, the four men travelled from the seaside town near Bristol in two vehicles. Manito drove Pitt while Gustur and Wheeler were driven by Wheeler's partner, Storm Truman, who the court heard was being kept in the dark about the reason for the journey.
Arson attack details
The two cars met up and Pitt left Manito's vehicle with a petrol can. Truman then drove them to Ferndale and Manito stayed in the area for support before disposing of his van. In the early hours of July 28, 2025, the three men approached Mrs Ford's house wearing balaclavas with two petrol canisters. One was thrown through the letterbox and the other through a window which they smashed while Gustur filmed the incident.
Mrs Ford's house, where she had lived for more than 60 years, was completely destroyed. Three cars were also gutted by the blaze, and the fire service had to battle hard to save neighbouring properties while neighbours had to leave their homes in the middle of the night. The damage to the properties was valued at £771,750, excluding the cost of the three vehicles damaged outside the property.
