Dearne drug dealer jailed
A DRUG dealer who stashed more than £500 worth of cannabis in his garden at Thurnscoe has been put behind bars for 16 months.
Andrew Taylor of Deightonby Street hid cannabis inside an air compressor, but was caught out when his home was searched by police.
The former builder was a well-known addict and sold cannabis to customers, as well as taking amphetamines to lose weight, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
Elizabeth Martin, prosecuting, said police carried out a search warrant at Taylor’s home on March 9.
Ms Martin said over 3g of cannabis was found in the kitchen, while 20.8g of amphetamines worth £135 were discovered in a bedroom drawer along with 167 nitrazepam painkillers.
Officers found 141.6g of cannabis resin hidden in the garden, valued at more than £566.
Ms Martin said more than £2,600 in cash was found in the house, where Taylor’s phone was also seized. Messages from customers requesting drugs were found on the phone, the court heard.
Ms Martin added: “He had been supplying for some time – clearly over a five or six-week period prior to the arrest.”
Taylor, aged 44, had convictions for possessing class B substances and had been jailed twice over drug offences.
Judith Seabourne, mitigating, said he was ‘entrenched in a drug lifestyle’ and suffered from diabetes, depression and neuropathy, caused by damaged nerves.
“He has been self-medicating with cannabis. He resorted to selling to pay for his own drugs”, she said.
She added that Taylor, who has a four-year-old daughter, used to be a self-employed builder, but was unable to work now and was on benefits.
Taylor admitted possessing cannabis resin with intent to supply, and possessing cannabis and amphetamines.
Judge Mr Justice David Foskett told him: “This kind of dealing cannot be overlooked by the courts.”
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Comments
There are 4 comments to this article
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John from Balby
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 07:27 AMRichard Branson said recently that the governments policy over the last few decades on drugs had failed. I think he is right we waste billions trying to police a social issue, Legalise drugs and regulate them. open up licenced premises, the government can tax drugs and stop criminalising people over personal choice
DavidHand
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:51 AMI cannot see the logic in persecuting dealers. Do we punish the guy who sold the alcohol to the anti-social drunk? Does it alter demand for these desirable products? For most, it is about the jealosy behind someone else making a quick buck. Unfortunately, this will always be the case under prohibition. Just hope all you supporters can sleep at night, trying to justify the constant stream of civilian casualties created by your policies.
PeterReynolds
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:42 AMA ridiculous waste of public money and a terrible and cruel injustice. What sort of country do we live in where a man with a bit of weed is treated more severely than a paedophile or a violent thug? Cannabis is a relatively safe substance with remarkable medicinal properties. This is the policy of a corrupt government funded by the alcohol lobby and the unlawful GW Pharmaceuticals monopoly on medicinal cannabis.
DanFord
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:28 AMThis is just another story that would not even have happened if Cannabis were a controlled drug. Unfortunately it is completely out of control at the moment, causing great problems that could be tackled most effectively by setting up a properly regulated supply chain so that consenting adults may purchase Cannabis if they wish.
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