‘Jack the lad’ dealer avoids jail

JUDGE IMPRESSED HOW TEENAGER HAD TURNED HIS LIFE AROUND

A JUDGE was so impressed with the way a “Jack the lad” drug dealer had reformed himself, he was spared immediate custody at Leicester Crown Court.

The court was told Kyle Hollings began peddling cannabis and cocaine when he was 17.

He was stopped and searched in Coalville by police officers who saw him acting suspiciously on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 21, last year.

Hollings, who had turned 18 by the time he was arrested, was found in possession of 16 wraps of cannabis, with a further amount seized from his home.

Analysis of his mobile phone revealed he kept a diary on the device about his activity. It revealed his cannabis dealing began in September 2018 but the cocaine supply was for a shorter period, between November 2018 and June last year.

Hollings, of Convent Drive, Coalville, admitted being concerned in supplying both drugs and possessing cannabis with intent to supply it.

Andrew Fitch-Holland, prosecuting, said the cannabis seized by the police had a total street value of about £230.

Recorder Graham Huston said the defendant formerly had a “Jack the lad attitude” when “enthusiastically dealing in cannabis for nearly a year”.

But he said Hollings, who now had a legitimate supervisor’s job in a warehouse, had “done a good deal” towards persuading the court not to send him away. Sentencing, he said: “You’ve pleaded guilty to very serious offences.

“You kept on your phone a diary of day-to-day drug dealing activities and were engaged full-time in selling those drugs.

“You were using the profits to increase the quantities to sell to build up the business.

“You were brazenly advertising what you had for sale and established a significant customer base.

“I’ve read a report about the background difficulties you’ve encountered and they were significant.

“You’ve dealt with those issues, not least your own dependency on drugs.

“Securing your job is an achievement – it’s an unusual case.”

The recorder also said: “He’s turned his life around and put offending behind him.”

Robin Howat, mitigating, said Hollings had voluntarily been addressing mental health and drug issues and had settled into a decent job.

The offending began when he was 17 and he had since matured, the court heard.

Mr Howat added: “He knows how close to the wind he sailed and it’s down to him to prove to the court he’s changed his ways and it’s all in the past.

“He will do everything he can to prove that Your Honour’s trust is well founded.”

Hollings was given a 20-month detention, suspended for two years, with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was also ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.