Crook hid money in ‘Bank Job’ fruit machine
COCAINE DEALER STASHED ALMOST £200K AT HIS AND HIS MOTHER’S HOUSE
A DAD who said he turned to drug dealing to support his family stashed tens of thousands pounds in a ‘Cops and Robbers’-themed fruit machine.
Cocaine dealer Anthony Stephenson hid almost £200,000 at the house he shared with his children and at his mother’s home.
More than half of the huge sum was found at his mum’s house, in the fruit machine and in a washing basket.
Stephenson, 34, said he had turned to crime because he couldn’t get a job.
“It’s difficult getting a job, it’s difficult living a decent life, but your children deserve that from you and your wife deserves that from you,” Judge Suzanne Goddard QC told Stephenson, as she locked him up for five years.
Police carried out a 6am raid at his family home in Eccles, Salford, where his partner and three young children were present.
Drugs were found in the top of a wardrobe in a bedroom, and in his car.
In total, cocaine worth £1,600 was seized. Officers also found a large amount of cash stashed in the kitchen, the main bedroom, a safe and even the children’s bedroom.
A total of £79,695 was recovered from his home, Manchester Crown Court heard.
After being arrested, Stephenson admitted the cash and drugs were his, and said his partner had nothing to do with it.
At the same time as the raid at his home, police also searched Stephenson’s
mother’s home.
Within the fruit machine and a washing basket they discovered £112,500, prosecutor Joshua Bowker said.
The game on the fruit machine was called ‘Bank Job,’ and the artwork featured a bobby with a truncheon chasing a masked bank robber.
Stephenson gave a ‘no comment’ interview to police.
“No explanation has been given for your possession for that amount of money,” the judge said.
His barrister David Bentley said Stephenson hadn’t been living a luxurious lifestyle.
“He was driving a 12-year-old car, his garden was overgrown. It certainly didn’t appear to be used to support his lifestyle or that of his family.”
Stephenson had financial problems and difficulty finding a job after being released from a previous three year jail sentence for dealing cocaine, Mr Bentley said.
“It was a vicious circle, having to disclose his previous convictions, while at the same time trying to convince an employer he was the right man for the job,” the barrister said.
“He chose an easy way out.
“It seems he was frustrated, to the point where his judgement was clearly blurred and he took the decision to involve himself in drugs once again.
“I don’t advance in any way a story that bleats about his difficulties at the time, I simply do so to give it context.”
Stephenson, of Westwood Crescent, Salford, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine; possession of cannabis; and possession of criminal property.