A former street dealer who made "a terrible judgement at the time" is now working for Network Rail and subject to daily drug tests, a court heard. More than two years ago, Oba Julius-Adewuyi was a different man, after he was stopped in a car with 29 wraps of crack cocaine on him and £650.
Messages on a phone related to the supply of drugs, Nottingham Crown Court heard on Friday (March 3). Catherine Picardo, mitigating, said her 22-year-old client, who brought a bag with him to court in case he went to prison, was 18 when he was arrested.
He has five previous convictions for possessing drugs, which were predominantly for using cannabis. But in 2020 his addiction escalated and he amassed a drug debt to the people he bought cannabis from.
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"At the time he rather stupidly agreed to work off this debt by initially supplying cannabis but, unfortunately, he was involved in the supply of Class A drugs as well," said Miss Picardo. "I would pray in aid his youth, the fact it was a terrible mistake, he is drug-free now, and he has served a period in custody for having a bladed article.
"With the aid of the Prison Service, he became drug-free, which is still the case," said Miss Picardo. She submitted a letter from ISS Labour, adding that he he has been in a job for six months with Network Rail, and takes drug tests every day to check he is fit and suitable for work.
"He made a terrible judgement at the time," she added. Julius-Adewuyi, of Owsthorpe Close, Top Valley, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, heroin and cannabis in Hucknall.
Recorder Ruth Coffey said: "It is clear that you were young at the time". She decided on a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, 25 rehabilitation activity days, and unpaid work for 80 hours.
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