A Carlisle cocaine dealer will not go to prison immediately after a judge was told he was planning to tackle the Great North Run to raise cash for an ill friend.
Carlisle Crown Court heard that Matthew Davidson had made huge strides to turn his life around and was planning to run the half marathon in September.
Davidson’s life was said to have been in a torrid state when police entered his home on June 11 2021. Davidson, now 23, was asleep bordering semi-unconscious and shaken awake by officers. Carlisle Crown Court heard he was very agitated, not wanting police in his room and asking why they were there.
Inside a Prada shoe box on the bedroom floor was high purity cocaine – potentially worth almost £6,000 – a cutting agent and other powder combining the two. Police also found electronic weighing scales along with torn plastic wrapping in drawers and cupboards, and more than £9,000 cash.
Davidson, of Caird Avenue, Carlisle, initially fled while police were there. More money and a wrap of white powder were seized from him when he returned.
He appeared at the crown court today facing a stiff punishment with a starting point set by the Sentencing Council of four-and-a-half years’ imprisonment.
“This was, in effect, his drug supply operation,” said prosecutor Tim Evans.
But Davidson’s lawyer, Mark Shepherd said Davidson had confessed to previously consuming up to £100-worth of cocaine a day, diluting his own supply and also selling to others having racked up a large debt which had since been serviced. “He accepts responsibility for what he chose to do,” said Mr Shepherd.
But being caught had been the catalyst he needed to rid himself of his addiction, the court heard, and within days Davidson had sought professional support. He also took up running and had provided an amazing level of backing to a friend suffering from a serious illness who expressed his gratitude in a letter to the court.
Almost £8,000 had been raised for Lymphoma Action with Davidson planning to tackle this year’s Great North Run with his friend.
It had been, said Mr Shepherd, a stunning departure from Davidson since his offending came to light.
Noting the defendant had no previous convictions, highlighting a delay in bringing the case to court and that was a valued, hard-working employee, Recorder Ian Unsworth QC opted to defer passing sentence. This was, he said, to see whether positive progress could be maintained.
Davidson was bailed and will receive his punishment on October 3. “You must understand that this is a rare step,” Recorder Unsworth said of deferment. “This is an opportunity — grab it with both hands. If you have succeeded I will not sentence you to an immediate term of imprisonment.”
Of the offence itself, the judge had stated: “The unlawful use of illegal drugs wreaks havoc on society. They ruin lives, destroy lives and wreck the lives of those people addicted to them.”
