An MDMA dealer was found in bed "surrounded by drugs paraphernalia" when police raided his home.
Patrik Hanak was found in possession of the class A drug when officers executed a search warrant on April 4, 2019, along with a "debtors list" and other items associated with drug dealing. The 22-year-old was caught after police seized his phone over an unrelated matter months before and discovered text messages linking him to drug dealing.
Hanak, of Benwell Lane, Benwell, Newcastle, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday to be sentenced for possession of a class A drug with intent to supply. He pleaded guilty to the charge at a previous hearing.
The court heard that in January 2019, Hanak was detained by the police for an unrelated matter and his mobile phone was seized. When checks were carried out, text messages were discovered which showed he was involved in the supply of drugs. But it wasn't until months later that police decided to raid his then- Fenham home.
Hanak was in bed at the time of the raid and drugs were recovered during the search, along with scales and a "debtors list". The court heard that a total of 3.84g of MDMA, worth around £200 to £400, was found along with paracetamol and caffeine which is used as a mixing agent. In interview, Hanak denied the drugs were his but later made admissions saying he had been "pressured into it by others". The court heard that Hanak had three previous convictions, two of which were for possession of drugs.
Christopher Knox, defending, said: "What this lad has done since is he's made some real progress. He has a girlfriend who he has a child with and is working in agriculture."
Sentencing Hanak, Miss Recorder Davies said: "The police were involved with you in January and found drug dealing messages. Four months later they executed a search warrant and you were found in bed surrounded by drugs paraphernalia." She added: "I am not going to lock you up because you have made such big steps to improve your position in life and avoided being in a world of drug abuse."
Hanak was given an 18 month community order and must carry out up to 20 rehabilitation activity days.
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