Bid to seize car from drug dealer
A FORMER schoolteacher who was jailed for dealing cocaine has been back before a court for police to confiscate his car.
Michael Younghusband was sentenced to three years and four months in September after police filmed him receiving 750g of cocaine in a handover at Penshaw Monument.
Younghusband, 30, of Kingswood, Penshaw, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
He was sacked from his job as a geography teacher at Dene Community School, Peterlee.
John Gillette, prosecuting, told a hearing at Durham Crown Court yesterday: “At the time of the offence police seized a BMW 5 Series car used by Younghusband to collect the drugs.
“Today’s application is to permanently confiscate the car as an item used in the commission of a crime.
“I understand there could be a problem because he claims the car belongs to his mother, and there is finance outstanding on it. The police were hopeful of dealing with this matter today because the car is in storage and attracting fees.”
The court was told there is a separate Proceeds of Crime Act investigation into Younghusband’s affairs.
Mr Gillette added: “The next hearing in that case is in February.
“Given the complications with the car, it may be best to abandon today’s application and include the car in the other proceedings.”
Ros Scot Bell, for Younghusband, said: “We will need some time to establish the ownership of the car and the amount of finance outstanding on it.”
Judge Christopher Prince made no order about the car.
The judge said: “Given the possible complications with the ownership of the car, it makes sense for all confiscation matters to be dealt with at the hearing in February.”
Younghusband, who did not speak during the brief hearing, was returned to custody.