Boxer who sold drugs is jailed

MAN WAS CAUGHT WITH SPICE AND COCAINE

A TALENTED boxer has been jailed after he was caught dealing drugs in Newcastle city centre

David Annan was spotted supplying narcotics after “succumbing to drugs” following a difficult childhood.

A court heard the 23-year-old had boxed all over the country and has now got himself clean and fit again while on remand.

But a judge jailed him for more than four years after he admitted possessing spice and cocaine with intent to supply.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister said Annan first came to the attention of police on July 8 last year after CCTV footage showed him handing something to a drug user, who smoked it and became highly intoxicated and struggled to stand up.

No charges resulted from that but his name was circulated around Northumbria Police.

Then, on July 20, plain clothes police officers were on patrol in the Grainger Market when they saw Annan handing something over to someone.

Half an hour later the same officers saw him in Charlotte Square, talking to known drug-users.

Mr Pallister said: “He was detained by police because they believed he was in possession of drugs.

“The defendant’s shoulder bag was found to contain 17 clear plastic bags full of a green herbal substance, along with some money. He said it was spice and was his for personal use.

“As he was put in the police car, officers found another bag in his waistband.

“He was taken to Forth Banks and a search took place. Another bag of green herbal substance fell out of his trousers.

“When strip-searched, the police found in his underwear a small bag containing white powder, which he initially said was paracetamol, but it was in fact cocaine.”

In total on that occasion, 19 bags of spice, with a weight of 13.95g and a value of £139, were seized, along with cocaine worth £6.56.

While on bail for that, on August 5 Annan was seen outside the Tyneside Foyer with some females and on seeing the police he looked “panicked and evasive” and tried to hide behind a bin.

He was arrested and found to have seven bags of spice and one of cannabis.

Annan, of Condercum Road, Benwell, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to possessing spice and cocaine with intent to supply on July 20 and possessing spice with intent to supply and possessing cannabis on August 5.

He was jailed for four years and four months.

Vic Laffey, defending, said: “If a case highlights the damage drugs can do to somebody, this is the one.

“The David Annan in the dock is a world away from the David Annan I was dealing with some months ago when he was on bail. If anyone has shown a marked improvement in his personal circumstances and his own health and wellbeing, then it’s this young man.

“It’s a terrible shame somebody who has the potential that he has, has succumbed to drugs in the way he has.”

Mr Laffey added: “He had a traumatic childhood and was effectively left to his own devices from the age of 15.

“To say he had reached rock bottom would be an understatement. He was effectively scraping the bottom of the barrel.

“The defendant is a talented boxer, he has boxed all over the country. In prison, he has been working hard in the gym and mentoring other prisoners in computer work and gym work.”