A “CLASSIC county lines drug runner” who based himself in a Kendal flat has been locked up for two years.
Police in plain clothes were on duty in the Abbot Hall area of the town at lunchtime on May 29 when they saw a man leave his home twice and conduct drug deals. He was arrested and found in possession of class A drugs. A knife, pick axe handle and two hammers were seized from his home, and he was jailed earlier this year.
As police entered his Highgate property, 18-year-old Taylor Thompson was seen to leap from a window and, when he was also detained, he had wraps of cocaine and heroin on him along with almost £2,000 cash.
A phone in the flat rang out persistently and a message seemingly for the unemployed teen was noted. Phone analysis showed images of images of drugs and money, and messages, indicating his role in drugs peddling.
Thompson admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, and possessing criminal property, and was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court this morning (FRI).
Recorder Andrew Nuttall considered background reports and heard Thompson had twice “disappeared” having been unable to secure a settled life after leaving the care system. Once he was located in Dorset in possession of drugs and then, after being arrested and released under investigation, the next time he surfaced was when he jumped from the Kendal window.
Phil Barnes, defending, said Thompson, of Viaduct Street, Newton-le-Willows, had been put to work after accruing a drug debt, adding: “He is, to put it in simple terms, a class county lines runner.”
Reducing the teen’s sentence because of his tender age and lack of previous convictions, Recorder Nuttall sent him to a young offenders’ institution for two years.
PC Chris Appleyard said: “Thompson is the latest example of the potential consequences that those involved in the supply of drugs can expect to receive.
“The dealing of Class A drugs has an impact on local communities and destroys lives. We want to hear from anyone with information about drug dealing or drug use in Cumbria.
“You can contact Cumbria Police direct or Crimestoppers anonymously.”
