Hard-up cocaine addict sold drug he bought at Milton Carnival to make cash

A CASH-STRAPPED cocaine user has been jailed after buying the drug at a family carnival so he could make money selling it to others.

Shaun Davies, aged 45, was approached by some 'lads' at Milton Carnival last summer, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard.

He succumbed to temptation to make some money as he was out of work and struggling financially.

The court heard police executed a search warrant at Davies's home in Maunders Road, Milton, on the evening of July 13 – five days after the carnival.

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Davies was present with another man and he was holding a dealer's list. Police recovered £140 cash and four bags of cocaine worth £120.

In his police interview, Davies said he had been out of work due to a back injury and met a couple of lads at Milton Carnival who asked him if he was interested in taking a few bags off them.

Davies told officers he bought eight bags for £180 and was going to sell them for £30 a bag.

He said he occasionally used cocaine himself but added he had never supplied drugs before. He added he was doing it to make money as he had no cash himself and was getting by with help from family and friends. Davies conceded he had been 'stupid' and added he got involved simply due to a lack of money.

Davies pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Peter McCartney, mitigating, said Davies has been using cocaine for 16 months.

"It coincides with a period when he has been unemployed. He worked 11 years with one employer and 12 years with the next," said Mr McCartney.

But Davies suffered a prolapsed spinal disc and began using cocaine.

Mr McCartney said Davies is remorseful and ashamed and asked Judge Paul Glenn to suspend the sentence as an act of mercy.

But the judge said the offence was so serious only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified and he jailed Davies for two years.

Judge Glenn said: "You were found with four bags of cocaine with a street value of £120. As you admitted in interview you had bought that cocaine with your eyes wide open, with a view to selling it for profit.

"Until recently you had a very good work record. But it almost beggars belief you got on to cocaine when unemployed."

The judge added: "Courts take a serious view of any involvement in class A drugs supply. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug. You knew just what you were doing."

Davies will serve up to half the sentence with the rest on licence.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, Judge Glenn certified Davies benefited by £260 and ordered the confiscation of £140 – the cash seized on arrest.

He will serve seven days in prison if it is not paid in 28 days.

Pat Houlton, who helped organise the first Milton Carnival five years ago, said she was 'shocked' that drug dealing had occurred at the event.

The 64-year-old, of Haslemere Avenue, Milton, said: "My reaction is one of shock and horror. We have always had a strong police presence at the carnival.

"Every area has had problems with drugs, and Milton is no different. But I'm dumbfounded that something like this was happening at the carnival, which has been so successful."

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