Two local men have been slammed behind bars for running a drug supply racket in Reading. Michael Shackleford, 39, and Scott Barnes, 38, were locked up last week at Reading Crown Court.
Crack and Heroin Dealers Hit with Heavy Jail Terms
Shackleford, from Portman Road, was handed four years and two months. Barnes, of Basingstoke Road, got three years and four months for pushing crack cocaine and heroin on the streets.
Drugs, Phones, and a Knife Taken Off Reading’s Streets
The court ordered the destruction of a stash seized during the bust — illegal drugs, mobile phones, a blade, and £110 in cash linked to their crime spree.
Guilty Pleas Seal Their Fate
- On 3 October 2025, Shackleford admitted supplying crack and heroin, carrying a knife in public, and handling criminal property.
- On 16 January 2026, Barnes pleaded guilty to similar charges for drug supply and possessing criminal property.
Both men face hefty jail time for flooding Reading’s streets with dangerous drugs and weapons, delivering a blow to the local drug trade.
