Addict sold drugs on Beverley streets while visiting girlfriend
DEALER CAUGHT WITH HEROIN AND CRACK COCAINE
A DRUG addict who was spotted dealing on the streets in Beverley was only there to visit his girlfriend – but he brought his drugs with him anyway and built up “quite a little business”.
Mattaus Preston, 23, was caught with 70 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine worth £800, but had now decided that there was no future in drugs, Hull Crown Court heard.
And if the drugs were his future, he would be spending it in prison, he was warned.
Preston admitted possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply on October 8, 2019.
Julia Baggs, prosecuting, said police in Beverley town centre spotted Preston exchanging drugs with another person at the junction of Trinity Lane and Wilbert Lane.
He had 33 wraps of heroin and 37 of crack cocaine, together valued at about £800 on the streets, as well as £203 cash.
Mobile phone messages including some saying “on” and “back on” indicated he had been involved in drug dealing and one message had been sent to about 15 contacts.
“It’s street dealing,” said Miss Baggs. “It appears to be the defendant’s own enterprise.”
Preston had convictions for ten previous offences, including assault and threatening behaviour, and he had been in trouble in the Manchester area and Bridlington since the drugs offences.
Steven Garth, mitigating, said Preston was in Beverley mainly to see his then girlfriend.
“By that time, he had a serious Class
A drug addiction and, back home, he started selling heroin and crack cocaine on the side to fund his own habit,” said Mr Garth.
“When he came over to Beverley, he brought his drugs with him and continued to trade at street level.
“He is now free of drugs. He decided there was no future in being a drug addict and, for some time, he has been totally away from drugs.”
Judge Mark Bury told Preston: “You had a drug addiction and, in order to pay for it, you were selling drugs yourself.
“You had run up quite a little business. Drugs are not the future and, if they are your future, you will end up spending it inside and no one wants that.”
Preston, of Salford, was jailed for two years and four months.