A FORMER member of one of Gloucester's most "cancerous" gangs has been jailed, despite telling a judge he was no longer part of the notorious OPM crew.
Ashley Nicholls-Perry was given a two year and nine month prison sentence after he admitted cocaine dealing and being in possession of knife outside Capones nightclub in Dursley.
The 22-year-old told Judge Jamie Tabor QC said he had put his life of gangs behind him, had not been in contact with members of Other People's Money for two years and planned to get rid of his affiliation tattoos.
But Gloucester Crown Court heard Nicholls-Perry had still managed to get himself into trouble on February 1, this year.
Prosecutor Paul Cook told the court: "Police were called to Capones and when they attended he was outside. There had been suspicions there had been some dealing there that night.
"He told police he had no drugs on him, but police found some wraps.
"He was told he was going to be arrested and he struck out with a clinched fist and tried to make off.
"Officers tried to restrain him and he was shouting 'I will stab you'.
"When he was searched they found a kitchen knife in his trouser lining near to his right shin."
Mr Cook said the officers discovered 1.91 grams of cocaine and text messages that indicated he was supplying both cocaine and cannabis.
The court heard Nicholls-Perry had previous convictions for violence, being in possession of imitation guns, drugs and for breaching a gang injunction.
Judge Jamie Tabor QC said it was clear Nicholls-Perry of Ince Castle Way in Gloucester had potential.
But he said: "He has got wrapped up with this hideous gang and cannot get out of it or doesn't want to – I don't know which it is.
"Does he not realise OPM is simply going to lead to him spending his life in prison?
"This gang are like a cancer in this town and until he gets away from them his mum is going to have to continue to sit in this court room."
"You have already acquired an unenviable record," he told Nicholls-Perry.
"Violence, guns and drugs equals OPM as far as I am concerned.
"As long as you are associated with that gang you are going to keep going back to prison."
But the defendant told the judge he was no longer part of the gang.
He said: "OPM when they found out I was taking class A, they separated me which is why I have not been involved in the gang.
"When I got out (of prison) last time I got involved with a former gang member, a bank robber, who came to see me and helped.
"I want to do this thing where I go and talk to children about gangs.
"I have not been involved with OPM for two years. I have broken away. I have still got a tattoo but I want to get rid of it.
"I don't want to be like them. They are all in their 30s and they haven't got jobs – they've got nothing to be proud of."
The judge told him getting away from the gang would be wise as they were "public enemy number one" in the city.
He said he refused to believe Nicholls-Perry explanation that he had the knife because he had found it discarded in the club and so put it in his pocket.
The judge jailed him for two years and nine months after he pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article in a public place, possession of cocaine with intent to supply and obstructing a police officer in the execution of his duty.
He told him: "You have the misfortune to have a name that sticks out in my memory – I don't want to see you again."
