A COVID lockdown cannabis dealer who offered customers a chance to try before you buy has been sentenced by a judge.
Bradley Austin, 21, was punished for his offending at Carlisle Crown Court today, along with 22-year-old Jack Donald, who had also been involved in supply of the drug.
Police stopped an Audi car driven by Donald on Scalegate Road in the city just before noon on December 5 2020.
There was a strong smell of cannabis inside the vehicle with Austin slumped in the rear of the car.
Recovered from behind the driver’s seat were two plastic bags containing female flowering cannabis heads — the most potent form — which had a potential street sale value of almost £5,000.
In the front passenger footwell was a carrier bag containing plastic tubs and weighing scales. Also seized from Austin was a white envelope stashed down his trousers which contained almost £3,000 cash.
Donald denied involvement with all items found in the car.
But phones taken from Austin and Donald — then aged in their late teens — were analysed. This scrutiny revealed that both had been involved in cannabis supply during a period of several weeks in November and early December 2020.
Austin had been engaged in chat with potential customers, telling one: “You can try before you buy,” said prosecutor Tim Evans.
Conversation involving Donald as part of what a judge said was his own small and separate cannabis dealing operation referred to nice lemon as a slang reference to the substance.
Austin admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply on the date of the car stoppage. He also, along with Donald pleaded guilty to a charge of being concerned in supplying the drug.
Lawyers for both defendants said they had taken considerable steps to mend their ways and stay out of trouble during the 18 months since their offending came to light.
In light of this progress and the time that had elapsed, Judge Richard Archer imposed community orders, 12 months in length for Austin and 18 months for Donald.
Austin, of Cragg Road, Cleator Moor, must complete 120 hours’ unpaid work and Donald, of The Square, Allonby, was made subject to a 20-day rehabilitation requirement with probation service assistance.
