Dad-to-be spared jail after drug dealing
A DAD-TO-BE who was pressured into drug dealing to settle his own debts was spared jail.
Jamie Gretton, of Hawesside Street in Southport, Merseyside, was given a suspended sentence after a judge heard how he had quit drugs and alcohol after learning the news of his impending fatherhood.
Prosecuting, Derek Jones, told Liverpool Crown Court that police made an arrest in an unrelated drug deal in May 2020.
That deal, for one wrap of cocaine, involved a friend of Gretton and led them to enter a flat on
Bold Street.
When they entered, Gretton was sitting on the bed with a friend and eight bags of cannabis, around 11g, valued at £160.
Mr Jones said: “He had a phone in his hand but when police came in he threw it out the window causing it to be smashed.
“In interview, he confirmed they would have found drug messages requesting that he or others deal drugs.
“The defendant confirmed he had been doing it for two weeks. He did say he was only doing so because he had run up drug debts and was under some pressure and duress.”
Defending, Callum Ross said that Gretton had been beaten up by those forcing him to sell the drugs and he regretted his actions.
But he said Gretton, who pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply at an earlier hearing, no longer took drugs and had also quit alcohol – a decision inspired by the fact he is due to become a father in a matter of months.
The 26-year-old has been working in maintenance for the past few weeks and although he has previous convictions for fare dodging and shoplifting, had not been in the court for five years.
Mr Ross said: “It’s a very different man who stands before the court than that who stood before the court in 2016.
“He is much more mature and sensible now. The main reason for that is due to becoming a father I believe in July this year.”
Sentencing, Judge Robert Trevor-Jones warned that Gretton must continue to stay away from drugs or would likely find himself in a similar position in the future.
He handed down a sentence of four months suspended for 18 months, 120 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activities to address his consequential thinking.
Judge Trever-Jones added: “Whatever other responsibilities you have, be it employment or your family, give them the priority they deserve or you will no doubt end up back before the court.”