Joe Longstaff, a ketamine dealer, was arrested in his car. He admitted intent to supply to pay off debt.
Longstaff had three ketamine bags worth about £90. He also had £270 cash. He first said his girlfriend used the drugs. Later, police searched his house and phones.
Police found messages on his phone showing he dealt drugs. He sold them for about six weeks. Longstaff admitted he had intent to supply and pleaded guilty in court.
The prosecutor, Brian Payne, spoke about the case. He said police stopped Longstaff because of his driving. Police found ketamine and cash in the car, and his home showed signs of drug dealing.
Longstaff admitted to dealing ketamine because he needed money to pay off a £1,000 debt due to an addiction. He told them he was dealing drugs to pay it off.
The court learned Longstaff had mental health issues and didn’t make any money from dealing. He was also unemployed at the time but now has a job and sought help for his mental health.
The judge gave him a community order, including unpaid work and a curfew. The judge recognized this was serious but noted Longstaff played a small role and took steps to improve. He gave him an order instead of jail.