PAIR JAILED AFTER £1.2M DRUG BUST

A NON-LEAGUE star has been sentenced to more than 10 years in jail for leading a major drugs ring involving an ex-teammate.

- Andy Mitchell

Shepherd Murombedzi, 30, of Kidlington, became a firm favourite at Brackley Town, making 237 appearances across six seasons prior to his arrest and remand in June last year.

The former Solihull Moors and Chester midfielder received the verdict at Swindon Crown Court on Friday having admitted to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession of criminal property.

Co-defendant Tre Mitford, 30, played alongside Murombedzi at Brackley. The striker has represented a number of Step 2 clubs, most recently Hemel Hempstead Town. He got six years and nine months having admitted the same offences plus possession of cocaine.

Catherine Flint KC, prosecuting, detailed how police had become aware of the duo having downloaded the phones of two drug dealers.

Evidence showed Murombedzi and Mitford made a number of trips to Swindon, meeting up with Callum Harvey-McKenzie.