Key Points
- Thomas Coffey, aged 52, and Victoria Seymour, 45, both from Newport, have been jailed for cracking supply offenses.
- Thomas Coffey got six years and nine months jail while Victoria Seymour received three years jail which adds up to almost 10 years in jail.
- Gwent Police had uncovered a drug line running in Newport. The offense occurred between 1 February and 30 July.
- The two offenders were previously jailed for an offense of the same nature in 2019. Thomas Coffey received seven years jail while Victoria Seymour received five years jail.
- Thomas Coffey pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, and also possessing a knuckle duster in private premises.
- Victoria Seymour pleaded guilty to one count of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine.
- In the Cardiff Crown Court, it emerged that Victoria Seymour supplied crack cocaine to fund her drug abuse under the instructions of Thomas Coffey.
- During the arrest, Thomas threatened the police when he tried to escape over the garden fence.
- Recorder Richard Booth KC stated that previous sentencing had failed to deter the two.
Newport Crime (Wales Times) October 05, 2026 — Two uk/local/newport/">Newport drug dealers, Thomas Coffey and Victoria Seymour, have been jailed for a combined total of almost 10 years after admitting their involvement in supplying crack cocaine for a second time.
As reported by the South Wales Argus, Coffey, 52, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison, while Seymour, 45, received a three-year sentence. The pair were arrested after Gwent Police uncovered a drugs line operating in the city.
The case was heard at Cardiff Crown Court, where the court was told that their offending occurred between 1 February and 30 July. Both defendants had previously been imprisoned for comparable offences in 2019.
Why were Thomas Coffey and Victoria Seymour jailed?
Coffey, of Stow Hill, Newport, admitted several offences: being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, and possession of a weapon — a knuckle duster — in a private place. He is a father of three.
Seymour, of Howe Circle, Newport, pleaded guilty to a single count of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine. She is a mother of two.
Andrew Davies, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court that Coffey threatened officers when he was arrested after jumping over a garden wall in an attempt to escape earlier this year.
The court also heard that Seymour had been working under Coffey’s instructions to sell crack cocaine in order to fund her own drug habit.
What did the judge say?
Recorder Richard Booth KC addressed both defendants directly during sentencing. As reported by the South Wales Argus, he said:
“You have clearly been drug dealing over a substantial period of time and previous sentences have not been a deterrent.”
The judge’s comments highlighted the repeat nature of the offending. Coffey and Seymour had already received prison terms of seven years and five years respectively for similar offences in 2019.
The court confirmed that the time both defendants have already spent on remand will count towards their sentences. Each must also pay a £228 victim surcharge.
What did the defence say about Coffey?
Kirsten Murphy, representing Coffey, said her client had worked as a lorry driver for 16 years and had experienced significant problems with drugs.
As reported by the South Wales Argus, Murphy said: “The defendant has found himself homeless and experienced a chaotic lifestyle after using drugs as a coping mechanism.”
The court was told that Coffey suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after being attacked while in custody and requiring treatment in a prison burns unit.
What did the defence say about Seymour?
Zoe Laugharne, representing Seymour, told the court that her client had worked in the hospitality sector.
Laugharne also referred to a positive reference from Seymour’s manager at Eastwood Park Country House in South Gloucestershire.
Seymour’s guilty plea related to one count of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, rather than multiple charges faced by Coffey.
How was the operation uncovered?
Gwent Police uncovered a drugs line operating in Newport, leading to the arrest of Coffey and Seymour. The South Wales Argus reported that the police investigation exposed the supply operation in the city.
Coffey’s attempted escape during arrest, including jumping over a garden wall and threatening officers, was described in court by prosecuting barrister Andrew Davies.
The case demonstrates that Class A drug supply operations can result in substantial prison sentences, particularly where defendants have relevant previous convictions.
Background of the development
Coffey and Seymour were previously jailed in 2019 for similar drug supply offences. Coffey received a seven-year sentence at that time, while Seymour was sentenced to five years.
Their latest offending took place between February and July, after their earlier convictions. The new sentences were imposed at Cardiff Crown Court following guilty pleas from both defendants.
The case involved Gwent Police, which covers Newport and surrounding areas, and was prosecuted by Andrew Davies. The sentencing judge was Recorder Richard Booth KC.
Prediction: How could this affect Newport residents?
For Newport residents, the case may reinforce concerns about Class A drug supply within the city and the importance of reporting suspected drug activity to Gwent Police. The convictions and sentences may also provide reassurance that repeat offenders face further imprisonment.
For local community groups and support services, the case highlights the connection between drug dependency, homelessness, and offending described in Coffey’s mitigation. It may increase attention on access to addiction treatment and rehabilitation support for people at risk of reoffending.
For businesses and residents in affected neighbourhoods, a sustained police focus on drugs lines could lead to more visible enforcement activity. The outcome may also encourage greater cooperation between local communities and police in identifying and disrupting supply networks.
