Declan Goulbourne, a 25-year-old drug dealer from Bootle, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison on Friday after continuing to operate a county lines drug network even after being banned from Southport by bail conditions. He recruited a substitute, Ian Helm, to sell heroin and crack cocaine on the streets while he managed the operation from home.
Arrested Near Southport Model Village
Goulbourne was first caught on December 4 last year when police spotted him dealing drugs to users in a shelter on the Promenade, near the Model Railway Village in Southport. When officers gave chase, he threw away a phone but was arrested in possession of 156 wraps of crack cocaine and 56 wraps of heroin. Police also seized £1,220 in cash from him.
The discarded phone was found to have been used to send messages advertising drugs to up to 100 customers over the previous 10 days, many sent via a phone mast near Goulbourne's home. He appeared in magistrates' court the next day and was released on bail with conditions excluding him from Southport.
Continued Operation After Bail
Despite the bail conditions, prosecutor Derek Jones told Liverpool Crown Court that the "Johno graft line simply carried on in the same way." On the day after Goulbourne's arrest, co-defendant Ian Helm purchased a top-up for a new graft phone. Goulbourne himself bought credit for the device on the day he appeared in crown court for his plea hearing on January 5.
A search warrant executed at Goulbourne's home on Capricorn Way in Bootle on February 26 revealed the living room "set up ready to bag up drugs." Officers recovered 50.9g of heroin, 34g of crack cocaine, £420 in cash, scales, plastic gloves, and empty bags. Two additional graft phones were found, with around 7,000 flare messages sent to up to 120 potential customers.
Role in the County Lines Operation
Jones explained that Goulbourne operated the graft and dealt drugs on the street in Southport. After his arrest and bail exclusion, he recruited Helm as a street dealer while Goulbourne continued to operate the phone and bag up drugs, directing Helm where to go. A third man, Mark Ennis, was above Goulbourne in the line's control.
Previous Convictions and Defence
Goulbourne had a prior suspended sentence from June 2024 for threatening to share an intimate image, threatening behaviour, malicious communications, and criminal damage. His advocate, Paul Lewis, argued that his client "didn't have the fortitude to resist the temptation to become involved in drug supply to pay off his indebtedness." Lewis highlighted Goulbourne's work history and potential to move away from crime.
Sentencing and Co-Defendants
Goulbourne admitted two counts of being concerned in the supply of heroin, two of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, two charges of possession of heroin with intent to supply, two of possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply, two offences of possession of criminal property, and breaching a suspended sentence order. Judge Dennis Watson KC described the Johno Line as a "very efficient business" and Goulbourne as a "very active street dealer," noting that he continued immediately after arrest by getting someone else to do face-to-face dealing while bagging up drugs at his property.
Ennis, 45, of Sefton Avenue in Litherland, was previously jailed for five years and eight months for drug supply offences. Helm, 35, of Wadham Road in Bootle, received three years and four months.
