Jail for drug courier caught by police on M5

Peter Ruth, 61, admitted conspiring to supply a controlled drug of class B (cannabis) at Worcester Crown Court in January and returned to the court on Friday, (March 31), to be sentenced. 

Siobhan Collins, prosecuting, said police stopped the Ford Focus he was driving on the M5 on October 20, by boxing him in.

JAILED: Peter Ruth (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

In the vehicle was 22kg of cannabis with a street value between £77,000 and £165,000 which, Miss Collins said, was being transported from Birmingham.

The prosecutor said messages on Ruth's phone proved he was involved in a drug conspiracy and although his role was a courier, she said he would have been aware of the extent of the operation from the drugs he had in the car.

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Philip Vollans, defending, said Ruth, of The Elms, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, was the sole carer for his wife arguing a jail sentence would have a significant impact on her. 

JUDGE: A judge jailed Peter Ruth at Worcester Crown Court

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Mr Vollans argued although entrusted with the drugs Ruth didn't have a significant role in the operation, just transporting them for others. 

Judge Cartwright said although there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and there would be an impact on Ruth's wife, jail sentences had to be passed in these cases to deter others. 

Ruth nodded as the judge said: "It must be immediate custody. 

"The offence is serious."

He jailed Ruth for 20 months.