Ex-Footballer and Instagram Star Jailed for Cocaine Plot
A flashy Instagram influencer and a Dorrington drug dealer have been slammed with hefty prison sentences at Lincoln Crown Court. Thierry Nevers, 23, and Allan Barrass, 50, both admitted to conspiring to supply Class A drugs, specifically cocaine.
From West Ham Promise to Prison Cells
Once a rising football star in West Ham’s academy, Thierry Nevers traded the pitch for the drug trade. The 23-year-old Reading-based influencer flaunted his illegal lifestyle online before his downfall. Nevers joined West Ham in May 2021 on a three-year deal but quit the club in January 2024, months before his arrest in August 2025.
Nevers linked up with Allan Barrass, a notorious Dorrington dealer flagged by police in June. Barrass, 50, was caught with a loaded sawn-off shotgun, 40 grams of cocaine, a stash of cash (£5,860), and an arsenal of weapons including a lock knife, baton, and baseball bat. Police also uncovered a cannabis grow in his garage.
Jail Time Delivered for Crime Pair
- Allan Barrass: 10 years behind bars
- Thierry Nevers: 3 years locked up
Mobile phone records revealed countless messages between the two, confirming their drug dealing conspiracy. The discovery of Barrass’s loaded firearm in his bedroom added serious weight to the charges.
Police Crack Down on Social Media Crime Glamorisation
“We noticed suspicious activity in June linked to Barrass,” said police officials. The probe also tracked Nevers’s frequent trips between Reading and Dorrington, proving his central role.
Nevers was arrested in mid-August and held in custody. Barrass admitted guilt during his November hearing for both conspiracy and firearm possession.
This case shines a harsh light on how social media can glamorise crime — but the law is responding with tough jail terms for those caught out.
