‘Sidekick’ of drug dealer jailed for seven years
A COCAINE dealer’s sidekick has been jailed for seven years for his “major role” in a plot to flood the North East with drugs.
William Trott took away cash and cocaine during the seven-month conspiracy, under the watchful eye of Kenneth Hunter, who has already been locked up.
The duo were unaware they were being tracked by undercover police between October 2018 and May 2019 until disqualified driver Trott was pulled over in his car in Shiney Row, Sunderland.
A subsequent search of his home discovered a haul of 2kg of cocaine and 12kg of amphetamine, with a street value of more than £100,000, along with other items of drug paraphernalia.
Jonathan Walker, prosecuting at Newcastle Crown Court, said: “Hunter’s mode of operating was to prefer to be in the background, while Trott, the trusted lieutenant, would deliver and take away goods from the exchanges.”
Hunter would often place himself, in a black Range Rover, at the site of the exchange but slightly out of view so he could supervise and ensure the timely exchange and pick up of the money.”
Earlier this month, Hunter, of St Paul’s Drive in Houghton, who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, was jailed for seven years.
The court heard how he had a string of other drugs convictions and since his last release from prison had invested in a speedboat, a £50,000 Range Rover and a £16,500 ‘party bus’ and a chip shop called Cod Loves a Fryer.
Trott, of Hedworth Terrace in Shiney Row, who previously admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class B drugs, driving while disqualified and with no insurance has now joined his co-accused behind bars after he was jailed for seven years and three months.
Judge Amanda Rippon told him: “What is perfectly obvious is you had a very particular role, you were, as described, a lieutenant.”
Tony Davis, mitigating, said: “This is a man who had nothing, he lived in squalor, he had no assets and when he was sent to work, as has been observed, there was always a person slightly behind him, observing from a distance.
“This is not a man who owned a boat, not a man who owned businesses, not a man who had a Range Rover.
“In reality, this was a man who simply had fallen on to difficult times and take an opportunity for very limited reward. He is not a sophisticated drug dealer.”