Respected Iraq veteran in cocaine deals bust could keep his army job

Andrew Barnard acted as a middle man, putting dealer Kenneth Bain in touch with customers, a court heard.

Barnard, of Wollescote, near Stourbridge, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan during a distinguished 17-year career, kept in contact with Bain, asking how much cocaine he had and how he sold it.

Police found 'significant traffic' between the two men's phones when the drug ring was busted. Barnard, aged 34, was facing the prospect of being discharged from the army after his role in the drugs operation was uncovered. But his career looks to have been saved after Recorder Benjamin Nicholls decided to give a community order with 90 hours of unpaid work at Birmingham Crown Court.

A more severe sentence would likely have ended his army career.

Barnard sent numerous texts to Bain, including one asking if he sold 'pure', the court heard.

Ms Alison Scott-Jones, prosecuting, told the court: "There were significant amounts of traffic between both men and significant others to show drug dealing was taking place."

Ms Jabeen Akhtar, defending Barnard, said he had only put users in touch with Bain, had limited involvement and had not benefitted financially. However, when police raided his home in Careless Green they found 'luxury vehicles' and questioned whether he would have been able to afford them on his army salary alone.

Barnard, who pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a class A drug at a previous hearing, was said to have had an 'impeccable' record in the army.

Police had been monitoring Bain, 31, and when they raided his home in Crownoaks Drive, Wordsley, in December 2014, found cocaine, cannabis, a cutting agent and weighing scales, the court heard.

Bain pleaded guilty to possession of a class A drug with intent, being concerned in the supply of a class A drug and possession of a class B drug.

He was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work.