Leon Cooney, 23, a pro boxer, received a jail sentence for drug dealing involving cocaine and heroin in Plymouth from March 2022.
Leon Cooney, 23, went to court. He admitted to drug dealing charges last June. He supplied cocaine and heroin in March 2022. Other charges were dropped.
The prosecutor said another person delayed the case. This person was Maisie Smith. The prosecution did not charge her.
Police stopped a taxi in March 2022. They suspected drug activity. A passenger went to a house. Then he left in the same taxi. Police stopped the taxi. The suspect seemed nervous.
His phone rang. Someone with a Liverpool accent yelled. He threatened stabbing if robbed.
Cooney and Smith were arrested later. Police searched them and their phones. Cooney went to the police station for this. Police found another phone at their place. Cooney needed a hospital visit because he hid drugs in his body. He had cocaine and heroin wraps.
Police opened Smith’s phone. They found drug requests and messages. These messages involved Cooney or his orders.
Cooney stayed silent during his interview. He had prior offenses, driving issues and drug possession. He also had a community order resulting from burglary and assault in 2021.
His lawyer said the case hung over him. He was only 20 when it happened. The lawyer noted character references and that Cooney has worked with schools since his arrest.
Cooney became a pro boxer. He won all five of his fights. His boxing coach gave a reference. He now lives a different life.
Cooney moved in with his dad. He changed his life, and he admitted to his crimes.
Selling drugs is bad, the lawyer said. Cooney had cannabis problems and debts. Others targeted him and used him for drug work.
The lawyer asked for a suspended sentence because jail would end his boxing career.
The judge acknowledged Cooney’s age. He accepted Cooney focused on boxing and noted the positive references. The judge gave credit for the guilty plea.
The judge saw Cooney’s significant role. The minimum sentence was too long to suspend. The judge sentenced him to two years, two months per charge. The sentences will run at the same time together.