Scarborough couple handed sentence for dealing M-Cat
A Scarborough couple have been sentenced for dealing mephedrone – the former legal high which has become the scourge of the town’s police force.
Christopher Bowman, 31, and his girlfriend Sophie Rogers, 21, were caught out when police searched Bowman’s home and found just over 30g of the Class B powder in a safe. They also found a stash of illegal valium, also known as diazepam, which belonged to Rogers.
They were arrested and charged with supplying a Class B drug and possessing mephedrone, also known as M-Cat and meow meow, with intent to supply. Rogers was also charged with possessing Class C diazepam.
The couple appeared for sentence at York Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty at a previous hearing.
Prosecutor Michael Cahill said police swooped at Bowman’s address on November 8 last year, when they found 30.39g of mephedrone, which had a street value of between £300 and £600.
Mr Cahill said the search of Bowman’s home occurred just four days after police raided the home of another dealer in the Scarborough area who was known to the defendant.
They found a mobile at the property in Seamer with a text sent by Bowman which read: ‘Pre-orders going through the roof – push, push, push.’
Rogers, of Osgodby Lane, accepted she had some mephedrone but saids he knew nothing about the powder in the safe and had only been supplying to friends. Her defence lawyer David Camige said it was on this basis that she admitted possessing the drugs with intent to supply.
Recorder Sophie Drake said i t was clear that Bow- man, of Peasholm Drive, had played a greater role than his girlfriend in the drug operation. But she said she could steer away from an immediate jail sentence in both their cases because they had been trying to mend their ways and stay away from drugs.
“It’s good to see that you have taken this as a wake-up call,” added Ms Drake. “The court can be confident that you are not going to get i nvolved with this sort of activity again.”
Bowman was given a fourmonth jail sentence but this was suspended for a year. He was also ordered to carry out 250 hours’ unpaid work in the community and pay a victim surcharge of £80. Rogers was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay a £60 surcharge.