Tory former mayor found dead in convicted drug dealer's crack house

A former Tory mayor was found dead at a crack house by a drug dealer who disposed of drugs before calling 999, a court heard.

Respected local politician Les Winwood died at crack cocaine dealer Keith Kennedy's house in the early hours of July 17, 2022.

Kennedy, 52, phoned emergency services after getting rid of the drugs before police officers arrived at the scene in Bilston, West Midlands.

A court heard the 67-year-old councillor for Bridgnorth in Shropshire was later 'forensically linked' to a stash of drugs found stuffed inside a pillowcase.

The pillow contained more than 90 grams of drugs, ammonia, chemicals used in the production of crack cocaine and two mobile phones which contained text messages about the sale of drugs. 

Kennedy removed drugs and paraphernalia from the property but officers still spotted evidence of drug taking.

Mr Winwood was involved Bridgnorth politics for over 40 years, initially as town councillor where he served as Mayor, and then as Bridgnorth District Councillor until 2009 when he was elected as a Shropshire Councillor. 

Kennedy pleaded guilty to supplying crack cocaine in August and was jailed for two years at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday. 

Sentencing, Judge Michael Chambers KC said: 'To your credit, you phoned emergency services concerning the death of Mr Winwood but also it can be argued you had no choice.

'Subsequent investigations showed you removed evidence to a nearby property.

'Analysis showed the amount of crack cocaine you could have produced was 100 grammes. This drug is highly dangerous and addictive and causes misery in society.'

Police officers reviewed CCTV footage after the death and spotted a white pillow being removed from Kennedy's property and taken to a nearby house.

They subsequently raided that property and found the pillow case. 

Prosecutor Andrew Baker said said: 'The deceased body of Leslie Winwood was found found at the defendant's home in Cumberland Road on July 17, 2022.

'Mr Winwood was 67 years of age and at the time of his death was a councillor in Bridgnorth.

'He held this role for many years and was mayor of the town as well as the chairman of Bridgnorth council twice.

'The defendant was present at the address and rung the authorities, found within in property was a white bag with 54 grams of perceptive, a spoon with traces of crack cocaine.'

He added: 'The pillow was forensically linked to the defendant and Mr Winwood.'

Kennedy had previous convictions for possessing drugs but not supplying.

He was not charged with supplying drugs to Mr Winwood and it was not said in court why he was at Kennedy's house.

Samantha Powis, defending, said: 'The events of this night was particularly traumatic for the defendant.

'He did what he could, in similar circumstances other people do not do the right thing, but he called he police, which led to his conviction.

'The pre-sentence report says these events acted as a massive wake up call and he has been drug free for a while now.'

Paying tribute to him after his death, the Conservative association said: 'He was a selfless servant of his community and much loved and admired by all who knew him.

'He was kind, considerate and went out of his way to represent his constituents.'