FOUR members of a Swindon gang jailed for plotting to peddle a massive cannabis consignment In the town had their sentences slashed in London's Appeal Court.

Vincent Gibbs, 39, Craig Wanless, 29, William Livingstone, 38, and Richard Brinsdon, 36, were all sentenced at Bristol Crown Court in December 2003 after each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Gibbs, of Croft Road, Old Town, and Livingstone, of Lyndhurst Crescent, Park North, Swindon, were also sentenced for conspiring to supply cocaine after police intercepted a telephone conversation in which the two men talked of plans to sell half-a-kilo to another dealer.

Gibbs was described as a key figure in the operation, although Livingstone was "lower down the chain". Both Wanless and Brinsdon had lesser roles, with Brinsdon described as a simple "fetcher and carrier" in the scheme.

Wanless, of Braydon Court, Penhill, was involved in routine "distribution" of the drugs.

Brinsdon, of Fuller Close, Kingsdown, was jailed for four years but had his sentence cut to two and a half years by the Appeal Court yesterday. Wanless' four-year term was reduced to a two-year term.

Mr Justice Poole said the sentences imposed on Gibbs and Livingstone for conspiring to supply cocaine also were too high. Gibbs' total seven-year term was reduced to five and a half years, while Livingstone's six-year term was cut to four and a half years.