Footballer Terry Fearns jailed over drugs ring

Non-league footballer Terry Fearns has been jailed for his part in a drugs ring which supplied heroin and cocaine across England and Scotland.

Fearns, 32, of Lincoln Green, Maghull, Liverpool, admitted with 12 other people conspiracy to supply class A drugs in 2009.

He was sentenced to four years and eight months by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday.

The striker was sacked by AFC Telford last April.

He was suspended following his arrest last March for failing to attend training and a home match with King's Lynn, and was sacked the following month for a further breach in club discipline.

Fearns, who went on to sign for Chorley FC in July 2009, has also played for Southport, St Helens Town and Marine FC.

He was charged after a joint operation between Merseyside and Tayside Police.

During the course of the nine-month operation, police seized heroin and mixing agents with an estimated street value of between £850,000 and £1.2m, along with cocaine, £6,600 in cash, a heroin press and other drugs paraphernalia.

The other 12 - 11 men and one woman - were given sentences ranging from eight years in prison to one year's suspended jail term.

Ch Supt Tony Doherty of Merseyside Police said: "This was a well-organised criminal operation involving some major players and their couriers in the supply of a substantial quantity of class A drugs in the Merseyside and Tayside areas.

"We will not tolerate drug-related activities and will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in drugs."