ROOFER WHO’S TAKEN DRUGS SINCE 12 GETS ‘CHANCE’ FROM JUDGE

Court hears 22-year-old has had no ‘parental advice’

A YOUNG dad who had a difficult upbringing was caught dealing cocaine on the streets of Stokeon-trent.

Ryan Dwarka tried to give police the slip by bolting across a car park and into an alleyway as he tried to dispose of his phone.

But when officers recovered the device they discovered text messages asking for cocaine.

Now the 22-year-old, of Windlass Grove, in Hanley, has been spared jail after pleading guilty to supplying Class A cocaine and possession of Class B cannabis.

Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard Dwarka was spotted by officers on March 29 last year and they found £140 in cash and a bag of cannabis.

David Jackson, prosecuting said: “They saw the defendant and as they approached him he ran into a car park and through an alleyway into Ivy House Road.

“They caught up with him. He threw a mobile phone. When officers went to get that there were messages from a number of people asking for drugs.

“They searched his home and found 24 grams of cannabis with a street value of £240. Mobile phone was analysed and on it were texts from people requesting drugs from him. They concerned the supply of cocaine.

“He has one previous conviction for the possession of cannabis.”

Dad-of-one Dwarka, who works as a roofer, was handed a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Rashad Muhammad, mitigating, said: “From the age of 12 he fell into the wrong crowd and has been taking drugs. He has had a difficult childhood. At the age of 15 he was taken into care.

“He had a difficult relationship with his mother. He moved out of the house. His father has taken no active role in his life. At the age of five his father left the family and lives in America.

He has been left to his own devices. He couldn’t fund his addiction. He admitted when he was struggling to pay his bills he resorted to selling cocaine. The majority of messages are to do with cannabis. He was selling for his own use and to fund his lifestyle. He has a three-year-old child and in the last 10 months has played a major role.”

Recorder Julian Taylor told him: “When police went to your home they found communication about the supply of cocaine. The drugs were never found. These drugs kill. It’s a risk to your health and others. You know what you were doing and that it was wrong.

“You have not had any parental advice. I’m going to give you a chance. You have got a job and I hope you will keep it. If you don’t comply you will be back before me in this court and you won’t be given a second chance. Change your life and get away from bad company.”

Dwarka must also carry out 100 hours unpaid work and pay costs of £340.