Two men who sold sweets laced with cannabis and were caught after police visited a Carlisle house initially believing strict Covid lockdown rules were being broken have been spared immediate prison.
It was just before 4pm on February 16, 2021, when several people were seen leaving an address at Lindisfarne Street, off the city’s London Road.
Covid-19 restrictions were in force and as officers probed a potential breach they noted a strong smell of cannabis on the street which they believed was coming from the property.
Mark Warner, 24, and Niall White, 21, were found inside. Warner had two medium sized bags of cannabis in jacket pockets and had also tried to conceal a burner-type phone after police entered.
White was found in Warner’s bedroom and initially gave false details to police, who located more than £2,000 cash. Hidden under a duvet was a black rucksack which contained individually bagged quantities of cannabis.
Carlisle Crown Court heard identically labelled packages, digital scales and so-called Nerd rope confectionery infused with the main psychoactive cannabis ingredient were found both inside the Lindisfarne Street house and at White’s address in Longtown.
The illegal drug haul was potentially worth hundreds of pounds.
Meanwhile, damning mobile phone evidence was also unearthed. This included a text bomb to 40 different numbers advertising illegal wares for sale, and messages indicating that Warner and White had teamed up to sell cannabis for financial gain.
Warner, of Margaret Creighton Gardens, Carlisle, and White, of English Street, Longtown, each admitted two charges relating to cannabis supply.
The court heard both men had latterly taken steps to mend their ways. Warner was now in work at a factory and had a settled address, while self-employed roofer White was father to a three-year-old daughter.
In view of these positive steps and a significant delay in their case coming to court, Judge Nicholas Barker decided neither man should be immediately jailed.
Warner — a man with a previous cannabis supply conviction dating back to 2017 — had a 12-month jail term suspended for 18 months.
White was made subject to an 18-month community order. Both men must complete rehabilitation work, community service and electronically monitored night time curfews.
