Uk: Drug Supplier Narrowly Avoids Prison

[robert whitfield]

28 August 2007

A 24-year-old man found himself “on the edge of going to prison” yesterday after admitting possessing over £600 of skunk cannabis with intent to supply and a small amount of cocaine.

Norwich Crown Court heard that Louis Williams, of Bridge Street, Fakenham, sold cannabis to friends to pay for his own addiction.

When police raided Williams' flat in March this year £1,565 in cash was found behind a radiator in the living room. The search also revealed a set of scales under the living room window, two bags of herbal cannabis were found in the armchair in the lounge and more drugs were found underneath the sofa.

When arrested Williams told police the 163 grams of cocaine was for his own use . He had held a party the previous evening.

Williams was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work for the community and ordered to pay £271 prosecution costs.

Judge Simon Barham told him : “You were on the very edge of going to prison today but I can suspend the sentence as, since your arrest, you have made real efforts to break your addictions and you have found work.”

Judge Barham ordered that the £1,565 in cash should be confiscated.

The court was told that Williams had one previous conviction for a drugs offence in 2003 for possession 21 ecstasy tablets for which he was fined.

Rachel Ellis, defending, said Williams had been selling drugs to friends for about six months. He had now got a job, the first he had held down for five years, and he was now off drugs. He had also reduced his alcohol consumption.


source new.edp24.co.uk