Man who used drug dealing phone to make restaurant booking is jailed

A Tonbridge cocaine dealer has been jailed after detectives seized a phone and discovered a trove of personal photos and a restaurant booking.

Simon Thorpe, aged 34, was linked to his drug dealing phone after he used it to book a visit to a Sevenoaks steakhouse and officers subsequently spotted him on CCTV.

Kent Police officers arrested Thorpe in Aylesford, on 2 February 2024 on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, as part of a network known as ‘Dave’.

A search of his address led to the seizure of a phone and a kilogram of cannabis, with an estimated street value of £3,000 to £4,000.

A thorough review of the phone’s content revealed Thorpe had used the device for personal reasons, such as taking family photos, as well as sending marketing messages to over 300 drug users in the west Kent area.

In addition, his attendance to a restaurant booking made on the phone enabled officers to secure charges against the offender for being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Thorpe, from Aylesford, pleaded guilty before Medway Magistrates’ Court on 3 February and was consequently remanded in custody before being sentenced to three years’ two months’ imprisonment on 5 August at Maidstone Crown Court.

Investigating officer, PC James O’Gorman, said:

‘Throughout the investigation, the offender demonstrated little remorse for the impact of his actions on the local community and the lives of the vulnerable substance users he took advantage of. 

‘Thorpe acted in consideration only of his own financial gain but crime does not pay. He will spend the next few years behind bars instead of enjoying his ill-gotten earnings.’