A shoplifter’s actions led police to a drug dealer, Alan Dean, who was caught with heroin and cocaine.
Alan Dean was asleep in his bed. Police followed a suspected shoplifter to his home. The shoplifter waited outside the house. She then passed stolen goods through a window. This made police suspicious.
They entered the house through the open window. Inside, they found drug-related items. Scales, cash, and knives were visible. Dean got out of bed.
Someone threw a bag of powder to him. They wanted him to hide it. This happened on November 18, 2021. Dean said he would have eaten the drugs. Dean nervously touched his trousers. He then put the powder in his mouth.
Police seized it. The powder was 35 grams of heroin. Its street value was about £3,500. Police found cocaine in Dean’s bed, too. It weighed 2.88 grams. Its estimated value was £240.
Dean got arrested and charged with drug offenses. He was charged with possessing cocaine. He was also charged with intending to supply heroin. At first, he stayed silent. Later, he pleaded guilty to both charges.
Dean had many past convictions, especially for drug offenses. These offenses occurred between 1985 and 2015. The judge felt the case took too long.
He said Dean had the heroin to hide it for someone else. He acknowledged unique events led to the arrest. He also knew the consequences could be severe for Dean. The judge noted Dean’s past drug convictions.
This put him at risk of a harsh penalty. However, the judge cited the delay and Dean’s efforts to overcome addiction. Prison would be unjust, he felt. Dean worked hard to fix his mistakes and fight his addiction.
Dean received a suspended prison sentence. It was two years, suspended for two years. He also got a community order. This included 25 days of rehabilitation.