A 18-year-old drug dealer pointed police to a £22,000 stash in his loft, telling an officer: “Jackpot there mate.”
Phoenix Clark, 18, was asleep in bed at his Sandylands Road home in Kendal when it was raided on November 11 last year.
Police initially found wraps of cocaine, a small amount of cash and a set of electronic scales.
Cannabis and more cash was then recovered before Clark directed them to a laundry bag in the loft.
“Shall I make this a bit easier?“ the teen had asked, hinting at the larger drugs haul above. “Jackpot there mate.”
Carlisle Crown Court heard today that more than 100g of class A cocaine and a kilo of class B cannabis had been seized. This was potentially worth £12,000 and £10,000, respectively.
Clark admitted possessing both illegal substances with intent to supply.
His lawyer, Chris Evans, said Clark’s path to the serious offending had been a well travelled one as he initially found he could not afford his use of cannabis, and began to sell.
But Judge Nicholas Barker concluded the aggravating features of Clark’s criminal conduct — “to house these drugs, to sell them — were far outweighed by his mitigation: his tender age, remorse, immaturity, vulnerability to exploitation and significant personal difficulties.
Judge Barker suspended 24 months’ detention for two years. Clark must complete a rehabilitation requirement and attendance centre hours; 120 hours’ unpaid work; and a three-month electronically monitored night time curfew.
“You must understand, Phoenix Clark, you’ve sailed perilously close to the edge,” said the judge, who added that he hoped the teenager would learn from his experience.
