A drug dealer was caught after his concerned family called police about his crimes, a court heard.
The fact that Steven Blackford was under the influence of drugs, abusive and suicidal, prompted his sister to call police. And when officers arrived they found Blackmore in possession of Class A drugs. Paramedics also attended.
The 21-year-old, of Parkers Avenue in Wick, pleaded guilty to possessing both cocaine and MDMA with intent to supply in November 2020. He appeared at Bristol Crown Court for sentence today. (April 14, 2022)
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Judge Mark Horton jailed him for two years and two months. He told Blackford: "Anyone who sits in these courts is only too aware of the pernicious effect of drugs, most particularly Class A drugs. The effect on the lives of young people is that it destroys their lives.
"It is often at the root of other forms of crime. It destroys the lives of many. it is, quite simply, a blight on society."
Nadeem Aullybocus, prosecuting, said when police called on Blackford they found him with drugs including cocaine and MDMA with a street value of £1,360. Two days later Blackford's dad called police to say his son had more drugs and paramedics were called again.
The court heard police then found drugs valued at £6,952. Text messages recovered from his phone showed evidence of drug dealing. Blackford admitted possessing drugs when interviewed, saying he sold MDMA to friends some 50 times to fund his own drug habit.
The court heard Blackford was deemed to have benefitted from crime to the tune of £9,245.16. An available £1,085 was confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Emily Evans, defending, said her client was made redundant due to the pandemic, split with his girlfriend and lost his accommodation.
Miss Evans said Blackford demonstrated remorse and could be managed in the community. She said: "He has started his journey of recovery and is determined to stay on that path."
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