A teenager who started running a cannabis supply network across a city while still about to sit his GCSE exams has been unmasked as the ringleader of what a judge described as a family drug operation involving his girlfriend and her father and siblings.
Jack Barrett, now 21, was just 14 years old when he established the illicit business that would grow to span the city of Norwich, operating for more than four years between June 2019 and October 2023. When police eventually seized his phone, they found a staggering 47,000 drug-related messages — a figure that laid bare the extraordinary scale of his involvement for someone who began the enterprise as a schoolboy.
Barrett’s girlfriend, Mia Henry-Bristow, now also 21, was found to be “actively” involved in the supply chain throughout, while her father, Michael Henry, played an essential role shifting cannabis across the city as part of the wider network. Around 4,600 messages on Henry’s phone demonstrated his complicity, while his son Brooklyn Henry-Bristow, 19, had approximately 3,000 drug-related messages on his own device. Barrett’s girlfriend’s sister, Abigail Henry-Bristow, 23, was also described in court as an “active participant” in the supply chain.
The operation came apart in October 2023 when police executed a search warrant at Abigail Henry-Bristow’s home and found nearly 100g of cannabis with a street value of £950. A further 21g worth £530 was discovered at a second address in Buxton. Norwich Crown Court heard that despite the seriousness of their activity, the group had not been shy about enjoying the proceeds, with social media records showing Barrett and his girlfriend posing in glossy new suits in Facebook photographs posted in April 2023.
All five pleaded guilty to involvement in the supply of cannabis. Barrett and Henry additionally admitted possession of criminal property, in the sums of £8,471 and £3,656 respectively. Henry also admitted possession of magic mushrooms, while Abigail Henry-Bristow pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property worth £530 and possession of cocaine.
Judge Anthony Bate told the court the operation had “all the hallmarks” of a family business. Barrett, who describes himself on Facebook as working for a roofing firm, was handed a 21-month suspended jail term and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work. Henry received a six-month suspended sentence alongside a 20-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Brooklyn Henry-Bristow was given an 18-month community order and must complete 120 hours of unpaid work, while Abigail and Mia both received 18-month community orders with 180 and 120 hours of unpaid work respectively.
Representing four of the defendants, barrister Michael Clare urged the court to take into account the “relative youth” of the offenders at the time the offending began.
