Crack cocaine dealer smears poo on three prison cells after arrest

A coke dealer had to be moved to three different cells after he smeared poo onto the prison walls. Connah Rutledge, of Alnwick Drive was locked up after being arrested for drug dealing.

The 26-year-old came to the police's attention as part of a crackdown on dealing in Ellesmere Port. Mr Rutlegde's mobile number was identified and found to be used as a graft phone to send messages to people advertising the sale of crack cocaine and heroin.

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He was arrested at his property on Friday 9 September 2022 while on prison licence. Further investigations showed Rutledge on CCTV topping up the phone at a supermarket near his home on 27 August 2022.

When Rutledge was brought into custody he had to be moved several times after he repeatedly pooed on his hand and rubbed faeces on the cell walls.

Rutledge was charged and pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. He was sentenced at Chester Crown Court to 45 months in prison on Thursday 6 October.

PC Lee Ashbrook, of Ellesmere Port local policing unit, said: “Once Rutledge’s number was identified as being used as part of county lines criminal activity and checks were carried out on CCTV showing footage of him using the mobile phone, he was swiftly arrested.

“Rutledge is an example of how we will identify and seek out individuals who work with organised crime groups to supply class A drugs to users in order to make a profit.

“If you believe drug activity is occurring in your community please report it via our website or by calling 101.”