Winsford man sentenced for dealing cocaine

A man from Winsford has been sentenced after he pleaded guilty to supplying class A drugs

James Cross appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 18th August where he was sentenced to 32 months in prison, suspended for 24 months.

The 39-year-old of Lyndale Court in Winsford, had previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine.

The court heard how in July 2025, officers became aware of a mobile phone number which was being used to supply class A drugs in Winsford.

The number was a pay as you go and was not registered to any individuals. However, following enquiries, officers discovered that on Wednesday 20 August 2025 a top-up voucher for the number had been purchased at a shop on Weaver Street.

CCTV recovered from the store showed that the person buying the voucher had travelled to the store in an Audi A3 which was registered to Cross.

Further messages were recovered from the phone, which showed that Cross was regularly making arrangements to buy and sell cocaine, often travelling to Liverpool, Trafford, Crewe and Tarvin.

On Wednesday 15th October, officers from Northwich Proactive Policing Unit were driving an unmarked car on Wharton Road, when they spotted Cross’s Audi. They followed the car into Lyndale Court, and Cross was arrested for dugs offences as he exited the passenger door.

As he was arrested, Cross attempted to pass two mobile phones to other people in the car, but was intercepted by officers who seized the devices, along with £600 cash. A search was also conducted at his home where officers recovered approximately £1770 worth of cocaine.

Cross was taken to police custody where he answered no comment to all the questions put to him by officers. He was later released on bail, before being charged with drugs offences.

Following the sentencing, Police Constable Dean Butterworth, of Northwich Proactive Policing Unit, said:

“Drugs have a hugely detrimental impact on our communities and we are committed to doing all we can to ensure those responsible are put before the courts.

“In this case, as soon as we received the intelligence that the mobile phone was being used to supply illegal drugs, we were quickly able to identify Cross as the owner through the CCTV footage, leading to his arrest.

“Following our subsequent investigation, we were able to gather a catalogue of evidence linking him to the supply of cocaine in the Winsford area and leaving him with no option but to admit his guilt.

“While Cross has now been sentenced, our fight against illegal drugs remains ongoing.

If you have any information in relation to the supply in your community, please call us on 101 or visit: 

www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us “

Information can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on:

0800 555 111

Pictured - James Cross of Lyndale Court in Winsford.