A former DJ who helped a friend supply drugs was left owing £40,000 to dealers, a court heard. And police who zeroed in on him found he had £55,000 worth of drugs stashed at homes in Bristol and Banbury.
Frank Bastable accepted he was "banged to rights" when police came knocking at his door in July. Having been put in the back of a police car he tried to make a run for it, but was quickly detained.
Bastable, 27, of Causeway, Banbury, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of MDMA, cocaine and ketamine, as well as possession of the drugs with intent to supply, between July 2021 and July 2022. He also admitted escape from lawful custody.
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Judge Moira MacMillan jailed him for six years. She told Bastable she accepted he had been frank about his activities in interview.
She told him: "You have remarkable references from friends and family. They speak of you in the very highest terms, describing you as 'honourable'."
Nicholas Lee, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court in July police went to an address in Bedminster, where they arrested Bastable and seized drugs. Recovered from that address was 3kg of ketamine valued at £21,400, 8g of cocaine worth £680 and 6,000 MDMA pills worth £8,000.
Having been put in the back of a police car Bastable made a bid for freedom, but was grabbed. He told police he had to take his chance, saying "I know I'm banged to rights."
Mr Lee said police then focused on an address linked to Bastable in Banbury. Recovered from that address was 94g of ketamine valued at £600, 450g of cocaine worth between £18-25,000 and 4,500 MDMA pills worth £5,000. There was also weighing scales, a vacuum sealing machine and £1,230 in cash.
Police recovered mobile phone evidence linking Bastable to drug dealing, the court heard. When interviewed he said he had got into dealing but was left with a £40,000 debt and was trying to pay it off after his family and friends were threatened.
Matthew Comer, defending, urged the judge to give his client credit for a guilty plea. Mr Comer said Bastable was an intelligent man whose autism may have made him easier to manipulate.
Mr Comer said: "He was told he owed drug dealers £40,000. He was told if he didn't produce the money his family and friends would be harmed."
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