Shame of ‘hard worker’ caught with drugs and gun
A ‘HARD-WORKING man’ was caught with a ‘drug dealer’s kit’ following a raid at his house – before police found a gun, a silencer and drugs in his BMW parked outside.
Jake Hartley, 28, was also found with a kilogram of cannabis, cocaine and Taurine – which is used as a cutting agent.
The handgun, a Walther P99, was found to be in working order, alongside 18 rounds of ammunition. He also had a knuckle duster and baton concealed in the boot of his car, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
After pleading guilty to a raft of offences, Hartley was jailed for more than seven years.
Prosecuting, Lisa Boocock said that in the early hours of January 20 this year, police attended Hartley’s home in Hollingworth. They searched his bedroom and then his BMW which was parked outside and was unlocked.
“They found three sets of scales with various traces of drugs on them, as well as snap bags and a block of Taurine, which weighed around 769 grams. Taurine is used as a cutting agent,” Ms Boocock said.
“There was also a vacuum pack of one kilogram of cannabis. In the car boot, officers found 91 grams of cocaine at a purity of 32%. The total value of the drugs was £20,000.”
Hartley’s DNA was found on the handgun, it was said. He originally claimed he was given a package and was unaware of its contents – a defence he didn’t proceed with in court. He pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited weapon; possession of ammunition; possession of an offensive weapon, and possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs.
Mitigating, Kay Driver said her client has expressed genuine remorse.
She said Hartley was on a ‘downward spiral’ after splitting up with his girlfriend, losing his job and losing his home which he shared with her and her family.
The barrister said he began taking drugs during the pandemic and was ‘self-medicating’ before getting into debt. She said he supplied drugs to support his habit and became ‘seriously involved.’
Judge Elliot Knopf said: “It is another example of drugs ruining a person’s life. It seems he was addicted to using drugs.”
Jailing Hartley, of Green Lane, for seven years and 10 months, Judge Knopf said: “Your references speak about you being a hard working person, a calm individual who always abided by the law.
“Those people, I have no doubt, will be surprised that you fall to be sentenced for such serious offences. It’s said you have let your family down, you have, but you have also let yourself down.”