New life on hold as cocaine dealer jailed for three years (From The Northern Echo)

New life on hold as cocaine dealer jailed for three years (From The Northern Echo): "Ian Stabler had bought tickets for a new life in New Zealand when police raided his home in Darlington, in January, last year.
He has now been jailed for three years for drugs offences, and his conviction means he is unlikely to be allowed into New Zealand, a court was told.
Newly-wed Stabler, 46, and his wife, Suzanne, 41, were arrested at their home in Wilkes Street, after an undercover operation.
Officers befriended dealers who operated in the town centre at weekends, and bought drugs from them, Teesside Crown Court heard."

New life on hold as cocaine dealer jailed for three years (From The Northern Echo)

New life on hold as cocaine dealer jailed for three years (From The Northern Echo): "Ian Stabler had bought tickets for a new life in New Zealand when police raided his home in Darlington, in January, last year.
He has now been jailed for three years for drugs offences, and his conviction means he is unlikely to be allowed into New Zealand, a court was told.
Newly-wed Stabler, 46, and his wife, Suzanne, 41, were arrested at their home in Wilkes Street, after an undercover operation.
Officers befriended dealers who operated in the town centre at weekends, and bought drugs from them, Teesside Crown Court heard."

Anthony John Mulraney was jailed for 18 months.

Anthony John Mulraney sealed his own fate after he couldn't be bothered to speak to a probation officer before he was sentenced.The 32-year-old refused to co-operate with any order which could have kept him out of prison - even after a judge urged his advocate to "talk some sense into him".With no previous convictions for drug dealing and only one for possession, jail was "not a forgone conclusion", said Judge Les Spittle.But Mulraney would not contribute to a pre-sentence report and insisted from the dock: "I don't want a report."
Judge Spittle was left with no option but to lock him up at Teesside Crown Court.
Mulraney was caught with drugs at the home he shared with his partner and their young son, Prosecutor Ian Mullarkey told how police raided Mulraney's home on Greencroft Walk, Park End, Middlesbrough on April 24 last year. A total of 447 diazepam tablets were found stashed in various parts of the house. They included 375 pills in make-up boxes, 45 on a glass cabinet in the living room, 15 in a biscuit tin in the kitchen and one bag in Mulraney's trouser pocket. A small quantity of cannabis was also discovered.On arrest Mulraney told police, referring to his partner: "It's all mine. She had nothing to do with it." His text messages pointed to dealing.Mulraney initially told officers in interview the tablets were for his own use, using 200 tablets a week, then said he was minding 200 pills for a friend, his supplier.He later said he bought 1,000 tablets for £150 and sold them for 50p each, spending profits on clothes and to fund his own addiction.Mulraney, now of Melsonby Avenue, Park End, admitted possessing diazepam with intent to supply and possession of cannabis. He had a long criminal record with offences of dishonesty. Brian Russell, defending, pointed towards Mulraney's lack of previous similar offending and his guilty plea.Judge Les Spittle said he did not know whether Mulraney had problems which might merit an approach other than imprisonment.
He told the defendant: "It's by your own request that you don't seek this court to have a pre-sentence report prepared upon you to give this court further information."Even if you did have a particular problem using drugs yourself, your principal motivation was gain, financial gain."Mulraney was jailed for 18 months.

Anthony John Mulraney was jailed for 18 months.

Anthony John Mulraney sealed his own fate after he couldn't be bothered to speak to a probation officer before he was sentenced.The 32-year-old refused to co-operate with any order which could have kept him out of prison - even after a judge urged his advocate to "talk some sense into him".With no previous convictions for drug dealing and only one for possession, jail was "not a forgone conclusion", said Judge Les Spittle.But Mulraney would not contribute to a pre-sentence report and insisted from the dock: "I don't want a report."
Judge Spittle was left with no option but to lock him up at Teesside Crown Court.
Mulraney was caught with drugs at the home he shared with his partner and their young son, Prosecutor Ian Mullarkey told how police raided Mulraney's home on Greencroft Walk, Park End, Middlesbrough on April 24 last year. A total of 447 diazepam tablets were found stashed in various parts of the house. They included 375 pills in make-up boxes, 45 on a glass cabinet in the living room, 15 in a biscuit tin in the kitchen and one bag in Mulraney's trouser pocket. A small quantity of cannabis was also discovered.On arrest Mulraney told police, referring to his partner: "It's all mine. She had nothing to do with it." His text messages pointed to dealing.Mulraney initially told officers in interview the tablets were for his own use, using 200 tablets a week, then said he was minding 200 pills for a friend, his supplier.He later said he bought 1,000 tablets for £150 and sold them for 50p each, spending profits on clothes and to fund his own addiction.Mulraney, now of Melsonby Avenue, Park End, admitted possessing diazepam with intent to supply and possession of cannabis. He had a long criminal record with offences of dishonesty. Brian Russell, defending, pointed towards Mulraney's lack of previous similar offending and his guilty plea.Judge Les Spittle said he did not know whether Mulraney had problems which might merit an approach other than imprisonment.
He told the defendant: "It's by your own request that you don't seek this court to have a pre-sentence report prepared upon you to give this court further information."Even if you did have a particular problem using drugs yourself, your principal motivation was gain, financial gain."Mulraney was jailed for 18 months.

John Wallas the "controlling mind" at the heart of a planned and organised commercial enterprise in drugs

John Wallas the "controlling mind" at the heart of a planned and organised commercial enterprise in drugs.The 29-year-old, of Knebworth Court, Ingleby Barwick, was jailed for eight years at Teesside Crown Court.Officers found drugs worth between £71,000 and £299,000 when they raided a flat he rented on Hadleigh Walk, Ingleby Barwick.They discovered more than four kilos of amphetamine with a maximum street value of £260,000 and cocaine worth a maximum of £39,130.More than 25kg of bulking agents were found along with a cocaine-flecked mixing bowl and other evidence of cocaine production, such as gas masks.The judge told Teesside Crown Court yesterday how Wallas drew others into the drugs plot, including his younger brother Mark and cousin Craig Francis.Mark Wallas, 25, was sent to prison for three years. The judge said he played a limited but important and necessary role in drugs distribution.The police stopped him driving on the A689 towards Hartlepool on the afternoon of October 30 last year, said prosecutor Christopher Attwooll.
A bag containing £38,260 cash was found in the passenger seat footwell of the Volkswagen Passat. Wallas had keys to the flat on Hadleigh Walk.The Wallas brothers, who had no previous convictions, both admitted conspiring to supply cocaine. Mark Wallas also admitted possessing criminal property - the cash.Francis, 26, was the only one of five men not to be sent away.At his home on Victoria Road, Thornaby on November 20, police found digital scales and a metal safe carrying cocaine traces, and almost half a kilo of mixing agents.He paid for an order for 50kg of cutting agents which were delivered to Mark Wallas' home on Trent Avenue, Thornaby.
The judge said he played a very limited role and gave him a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years with 200 hours' unpaid work.David Breeze, 25, of The Birches, Middlesbrough, received a two-year prison term after he was "heavily involved" in amphetamine production.And Lee Cope, 24, of Marton Road, Middlesbrough, was locked up for 25 months. The judge said he was "lawless and feckless" and took a "depressingly casual" attitude to preparing the Class B drug.All five men admitted conspiracy to supply amphetamine in October and November last year. Francis also admitted cocaine possession.Police kept the men under observation and listened to telephone conversations in John Wallas' BMW with references to drugs supply and amphetamine production.The investigation was part of 'Operation Kiev', a long-running covert operation by the Cleveland Police Organised Crime Unit which led to another drugs gang being locked up for 22 years in April.Defence barristers tried to argue that the kilos of low-purity illegal narcotics were "very small quantities".
They said the men acted out of character and showed regret and remorse for being involved in areas of the "despicable enterprise" for a short time, often due to personal and financial difficulties.Kevin Metzger, defending John Wallas, said: "This was an aberration in what was otherwise an exemplary life."John Hurlock, representing, Mark Wallas, said the educated ex-RAF man and charity worker ran an errand for his brother: "He's lost everything that mattered to him as a result of that temporary loss of sense."Francis' counsel Andrew Turton said the former care home worker innocently stored items at his home as a favour, thinking the chemicals were for body-building.Now the men face having cash and assets stripped from them as proceeds of crime.Detective Chief Inspector Rob Donaghy, head of serious and organised crime in Cleveland Police, said today: "This was a well-organised drug manufacturing and distribution outfit making significant amounts of money."The sentences passed send out a strong message to those involved in dealing drugs on the streets of Teesside that we will not tolerate it."A team of detectives worked over a significant period of time to painstakingly piece together the evidence."We are relentless in our pursuit of drug dealers. We will target these people and we will use any lawful tactics to bring them to justice."

John Wallas the "controlling mind" at the heart of a planned and organised commercial enterprise in drugs

John Wallas the "controlling mind" at the heart of a planned and organised commercial enterprise in drugs.The 29-year-old, of Knebworth Court, Ingleby Barwick, was jailed for eight years at Teesside Crown Court.Officers found drugs worth between £71,000 and £299,000 when they raided a flat he rented on Hadleigh Walk, Ingleby Barwick.They discovered more than four kilos of amphetamine with a maximum street value of £260,000 and cocaine worth a maximum of £39,130.More than 25kg of bulking agents were found along with a cocaine-flecked mixing bowl and other evidence of cocaine production, such as gas masks.The judge told Teesside Crown Court yesterday how Wallas drew others into the drugs plot, including his younger brother Mark and cousin Craig Francis.Mark Wallas, 25, was sent to prison for three years. The judge said he played a limited but important and necessary role in drugs distribution.The police stopped him driving on the A689 towards Hartlepool on the afternoon of October 30 last year, said prosecutor Christopher Attwooll.
A bag containing £38,260 cash was found in the passenger seat footwell of the Volkswagen Passat. Wallas had keys to the flat on Hadleigh Walk.The Wallas brothers, who had no previous convictions, both admitted conspiring to supply cocaine. Mark Wallas also admitted possessing criminal property - the cash.Francis, 26, was the only one of five men not to be sent away.At his home on Victoria Road, Thornaby on November 20, police found digital scales and a metal safe carrying cocaine traces, and almost half a kilo of mixing agents.He paid for an order for 50kg of cutting agents which were delivered to Mark Wallas' home on Trent Avenue, Thornaby.
The judge said he played a very limited role and gave him a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years with 200 hours' unpaid work.David Breeze, 25, of The Birches, Middlesbrough, received a two-year prison term after he was "heavily involved" in amphetamine production.And Lee Cope, 24, of Marton Road, Middlesbrough, was locked up for 25 months. The judge said he was "lawless and feckless" and took a "depressingly casual" attitude to preparing the Class B drug.All five men admitted conspiracy to supply amphetamine in October and November last year. Francis also admitted cocaine possession.Police kept the men under observation and listened to telephone conversations in John Wallas' BMW with references to drugs supply and amphetamine production.The investigation was part of 'Operation Kiev', a long-running covert operation by the Cleveland Police Organised Crime Unit which led to another drugs gang being locked up for 22 years in April.Defence barristers tried to argue that the kilos of low-purity illegal narcotics were "very small quantities".
They said the men acted out of character and showed regret and remorse for being involved in areas of the "despicable enterprise" for a short time, often due to personal and financial difficulties.Kevin Metzger, defending John Wallas, said: "This was an aberration in what was otherwise an exemplary life."John Hurlock, representing, Mark Wallas, said the educated ex-RAF man and charity worker ran an errand for his brother: "He's lost everything that mattered to him as a result of that temporary loss of sense."Francis' counsel Andrew Turton said the former care home worker innocently stored items at his home as a favour, thinking the chemicals were for body-building.Now the men face having cash and assets stripped from them as proceeds of crime.Detective Chief Inspector Rob Donaghy, head of serious and organised crime in Cleveland Police, said today: "This was a well-organised drug manufacturing and distribution outfit making significant amounts of money."The sentences passed send out a strong message to those involved in dealing drugs on the streets of Teesside that we will not tolerate it."A team of detectives worked over a significant period of time to painstakingly piece together the evidence."We are relentless in our pursuit of drug dealers. We will target these people and we will use any lawful tactics to bring them to justice."

Mark Weston, 34, bought £115 of cocaine

Mark Weston, 34, bought £115 of cocaine after striking it lucky with his bet.But his luck ran out when police raided a house in Erskine Road, Hartlepool, the very same day and found the drugs.Weston, of Glamis Walk, Hartlepool, admitted one charge of possessing a class A drug on March 18.Patricia Mancina, prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court, said police recovered 9.5 grams of cocaine with an extimated value of between £379 and £474.She told the court: "He and his partner were there and when asked if there were any illegal substances he handed to police seven bags of white powder."In interview he said he had bought it that day for £115 and it was for his own use."He had treated himself because he had had a gambling win that day."Paul Cleasby, mitigating, told the court how Weston was battling to overcome a drug addiction and was on prescribed methadone.He said: "He admitted to police that the cocaine was his and co-operated with police during the search of the premises.
"For many years he has struggled with an addiction to heroin."He is now on prescribed medication to try and wean himself off drugs."The probation service is anxious to address his thinking about illegal drugs. They are keen for him to complete an offending programme."Weston was given a six month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and an 18 month community order with supervision.
Judge Peter Bowers told him: "I appreciate you have been trying hard to rid yourself of your habit."Methadone is possibly helping you. But that does not excuse you taking on cocaine as an additive to your methadone."This sentence is meant to be a reminder to you that unless you get your act sorted out you are going to end up in prison."

Mark Weston, 34, bought £115 of cocaine

Mark Weston, 34, bought £115 of cocaine after striking it lucky with his bet.But his luck ran out when police raided a house in Erskine Road, Hartlepool, the very same day and found the drugs.Weston, of Glamis Walk, Hartlepool, admitted one charge of possessing a class A drug on March 18.Patricia Mancina, prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court, said police recovered 9.5 grams of cocaine with an extimated value of between £379 and £474.She told the court: "He and his partner were there and when asked if there were any illegal substances he handed to police seven bags of white powder."In interview he said he had bought it that day for £115 and it was for his own use."He had treated himself because he had had a gambling win that day."Paul Cleasby, mitigating, told the court how Weston was battling to overcome a drug addiction and was on prescribed methadone.He said: "He admitted to police that the cocaine was his and co-operated with police during the search of the premises.
"For many years he has struggled with an addiction to heroin."He is now on prescribed medication to try and wean himself off drugs."The probation service is anxious to address his thinking about illegal drugs. They are keen for him to complete an offending programme."Weston was given a six month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and an 18 month community order with supervision.
Judge Peter Bowers told him: "I appreciate you have been trying hard to rid yourself of your habit."Methadone is possibly helping you. But that does not excuse you taking on cocaine as an additive to your methadone."This sentence is meant to be a reminder to you that unless you get your act sorted out you are going to end up in prison."

Jamie Tindall’s mobile phone was examined after he was arrested in a raid on a house on Brinewells Green, Middlesbrough

Jamie Tindall’s mobile phone was examined after he was arrested in a raid on a house on Brinewells Green, Middlesbrough on March 28 last year.Officers found text messages indicating dealing in cocaine, Ecstasy and cannabis, prosecutor Christopher Attwooll told Teesside Crown Court. One said: “You fancy bringing up some sniff?”
In the messages, Tindall was asked: “Do you sell drugs?” He replied: “Oh yes.” He was told: “Bit daft when you get caught.” To which he responded: “Chance you take.”
Tindall, 20, also texted: “I am in my prime making money.”A bag of 15 cocaine rocks, worth about £320, was discarded during the police search, the court heard. Months later Tindall was caught with a cocaine wrap. He was bailed, absconded and arrested again, this time in possession of cannabis.Tindall, of Hartington Road, Stockton, admitted being concerned in making offers to supply the Class A and C drugs, possession charges and failing to attend court. He had no previous drugs crimes.Christopher Dunn, defending, said Tindall was very intelligent and could have done much with his life. But he was “thwarted” by a significant stammer, for which he was bullied at school and attacked in custody. Drug use “numbed the pain of blocked opportunity” and led him into the drug culture, he said.Tindall supplied skunk cannabis to friends, was asked to supply Ecstasy, used cocaine and supplied friends from his “personal stock”. Mr Dunn said: “His motivation was not a commercial one.”
Regarding the texts, he added: “He’s trying to big himself up. It’s quite clear this man has got nothing. He was living in a caravan in somebody’s drive.”Judge Peter Fox QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough told Tindall: “I must take at face value what was described on your mobile telephone. Were you an older man I would be giving you four or five years.”Given Tindall’s youth, the judge locked him up for three-and-a-half years.

Jamie Tindall’s mobile phone was examined after he was arrested in a raid on a house on Brinewells Green, Middlesbrough

Jamie Tindall’s mobile phone was examined after he was arrested in a raid on a house on Brinewells Green, Middlesbrough on March 28 last year.Officers found text messages indicating dealing in cocaine, Ecstasy and cannabis, prosecutor Christopher Attwooll told Teesside Crown Court. One said: “You fancy bringing up some sniff?”
In the messages, Tindall was asked: “Do you sell drugs?” He replied: “Oh yes.” He was told: “Bit daft when you get caught.” To which he responded: “Chance you take.”
Tindall, 20, also texted: “I am in my prime making money.”A bag of 15 cocaine rocks, worth about £320, was discarded during the police search, the court heard. Months later Tindall was caught with a cocaine wrap. He was bailed, absconded and arrested again, this time in possession of cannabis.Tindall, of Hartington Road, Stockton, admitted being concerned in making offers to supply the Class A and C drugs, possession charges and failing to attend court. He had no previous drugs crimes.Christopher Dunn, defending, said Tindall was very intelligent and could have done much with his life. But he was “thwarted” by a significant stammer, for which he was bullied at school and attacked in custody. Drug use “numbed the pain of blocked opportunity” and led him into the drug culture, he said.Tindall supplied skunk cannabis to friends, was asked to supply Ecstasy, used cocaine and supplied friends from his “personal stock”. Mr Dunn said: “His motivation was not a commercial one.”
Regarding the texts, he added: “He’s trying to big himself up. It’s quite clear this man has got nothing. He was living in a caravan in somebody’s drive.”Judge Peter Fox QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough told Tindall: “I must take at face value what was described on your mobile telephone. Were you an older man I would be giving you four or five years.”Given Tindall’s youth, the judge locked him up for three-and-a-half years.

Michelle Robinson, 35, was allowed to walk out of Teesside Crown Court today after pleading guilty to producing cannabis at her Hartlepool home.

Michelle Robinson, 35, was allowed to walk out of Teesside Crown Court today after pleading guilty to producing cannabis at her Hartlepool home. "Had this been a commercial operation, I'm afraid you would have been going away for some considerable time."Judge Tony BriggsProsecutor Sharon Elves told the court that the mother-of-three had suffered polio as a toddler and had resorted to using the illegal drug to combat the pain. She said police raided her home in West View Road in the town in May, and found four bags of cannabis bush in the property, along with a sophisticated drug farm in an out-house in the garden, which contained 41 plants.
The court was told she had got sick of using street dealers to buy the drug, so decided to grow her own. She applied to a bank for a car loan and used the cash to have the out-house built. She then sent abroad for the cannabis seeds and began cultivating it herself, purely for her own use. The specialist lighting and ventilation system required for the plants to grow ran up a quarterly electricity bill of £1,000, however, Ms Robinson obtained the power legally and paid the bill herself. "She contracted polio at two and by the age of 18 she started using cannabis to relieve the symptoms," said Ms Elves. "She was unwilling to frequent dealers." In her defence, lawyer Annelise Haugstad said the drugs were purely for her own use and said the circumstances of the case were not usual for people growing cannabis plants. She said Ms Robinson rarely left the house and was allergic to a number of pain killers, so had resorted to producing the cannabis plants. Judge Tony Briggs said it was a sad case and said it was rare for people who cultivated cannabis plants to obtain the electricity legally and then pay the bill. "It's very unfortunate to see someone in your position in Crown Court," he said. "However, I see your medical history is unusual," he said. He handed down an 18 month community order, with 18 months supervision. He added: "Had this been a commercial operation, I'm afraid you would have been going away for some considerable time." He ordered the plants be destroyed.

Michelle Robinson, 35, was allowed to walk out of Teesside Crown Court today after pleading guilty to producing cannabis at her Hartlepool home.

Michelle Robinson, 35, was allowed to walk out of Teesside Crown Court today after pleading guilty to producing cannabis at her Hartlepool home. "Had this been a commercial operation, I'm afraid you would have been going away for some considerable time."Judge Tony BriggsProsecutor Sharon Elves told the court that the mother-of-three had suffered polio as a toddler and had resorted to using the illegal drug to combat the pain. She said police raided her home in West View Road in the town in May, and found four bags of cannabis bush in the property, along with a sophisticated drug farm in an out-house in the garden, which contained 41 plants.
The court was told she had got sick of using street dealers to buy the drug, so decided to grow her own. She applied to a bank for a car loan and used the cash to have the out-house built. She then sent abroad for the cannabis seeds and began cultivating it herself, purely for her own use. The specialist lighting and ventilation system required for the plants to grow ran up a quarterly electricity bill of £1,000, however, Ms Robinson obtained the power legally and paid the bill herself. "She contracted polio at two and by the age of 18 she started using cannabis to relieve the symptoms," said Ms Elves. "She was unwilling to frequent dealers." In her defence, lawyer Annelise Haugstad said the drugs were purely for her own use and said the circumstances of the case were not usual for people growing cannabis plants. She said Ms Robinson rarely left the house and was allergic to a number of pain killers, so had resorted to producing the cannabis plants. Judge Tony Briggs said it was a sad case and said it was rare for people who cultivated cannabis plants to obtain the electricity legally and then pay the bill. "It's very unfortunate to see someone in your position in Crown Court," he said. "However, I see your medical history is unusual," he said. He handed down an 18 month community order, with 18 months supervision. He added: "Had this been a commercial operation, I'm afraid you would have been going away for some considerable time." He ordered the plants be destroyed.

Michael Andrew Neave, 42, of Waverley Terrace, Hartlepool, was sentenced to three years in prison

Michael Andrew Neave, 42, of Waverley Terrace, Hartlepool, was sentenced to three years in prison.He appeared in court on September 8, and admitted 21 charges of supplying heroin and six of supplying crack cocaine.Michael Neave.The drug addict was caught dealing £10 and £20 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine between September 26 and November 14 last year, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Paul Cleasby, defending, said: "The defendant received no financial rewards for his part in these matters, it was about feeding his own habit."Judge Les Spittle said: "You were dealing in order to fund your own and your associates' habits.
"It is quite clear to me you were dealing on a daily basis but it was to fund your own habits."The judge jailed Neave for a total of three years for all offences.

Michael Andrew Neave, 42, of Waverley Terrace, Hartlepool, was sentenced to three years in prison

Michael Andrew Neave, 42, of Waverley Terrace, Hartlepool, was sentenced to three years in prison.He appeared in court on September 8, and admitted 21 charges of supplying heroin and six of supplying crack cocaine.Michael Neave.The drug addict was caught dealing £10 and £20 wraps of heroin and crack cocaine between September 26 and November 14 last year, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Paul Cleasby, defending, said: "The defendant received no financial rewards for his part in these matters, it was about feeding his own habit."Judge Les Spittle said: "You were dealing in order to fund your own and your associates' habits.
"It is quite clear to me you were dealing on a daily basis but it was to fund your own habits."The judge jailed Neave for a total of three years for all offences.

Teesside Crown Court heard Norman Gary Hanley supplied the two undercover officers with more than £600 worth of heroin in 12 different deals

Teesside Crown Court heard Norman Gary Hanley supplied the two undercover officers with more than £600 worth of heroin in 12 different deals between November and December last year.Norman HanleyOn August 8, the court heard the officers would ring Hanley and arrange to meet at public places including on Raby Road, Grainger Street, Whitby Street and at his home. Many of the transactions were captured on CCTV.Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, said: "Initial contact was made from an introduction by another drug user. "On all occasions throughout this operation the defendant was seen to turn up and when he supplied police had more wraps than he was handing over."
Hanley, of Church Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of supplying heroin at an earlier hearing.Judge Brian Forster QC said: "The courts have to make it clear to people in this area that those who become involved in the supply of heroin are committing a serious offence and can expect a significant sentence of imprisonment."

Teesside Crown Court heard Norman Gary Hanley supplied the two undercover officers with more than £600 worth of heroin in 12 different deals

Teesside Crown Court heard Norman Gary Hanley supplied the two undercover officers with more than £600 worth of heroin in 12 different deals between November and December last year.Norman HanleyOn August 8, the court heard the officers would ring Hanley and arrange to meet at public places including on Raby Road, Grainger Street, Whitby Street and at his home. Many of the transactions were captured on CCTV.Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, said: "Initial contact was made from an introduction by another drug user. "On all occasions throughout this operation the defendant was seen to turn up and when he supplied police had more wraps than he was handing over."
Hanley, of Church Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of supplying heroin at an earlier hearing.Judge Brian Forster QC said: "The courts have to make it clear to people in this area that those who become involved in the supply of heroin are committing a serious offence and can expect a significant sentence of imprisonment."

Phillip Quinn was yesterday convicted of supplying pal Michael Neave with crack cocaine during a swoop on drug dealers.

Phillip Quinn was yesterday convicted of supplying pal Michael Neave with crack cocaine during a swoop on drug dealers.Neave called Quinn, 41, and arranged to buy some of the highly addictive drug for a supposed user, who unbeknown to either of them was a undercover policeman.The conversation was recorded on a secret wire and the officer drove to Quinn's home in Sheriff Street, Hartlepool.The policeman watched as Neave and Quinn climbed into a car before Neave returned with a £20 wrap of crack cocaine.Quinn denied selling him the drug and claimed Neave must have had it already or got it from somewhere else.But a jury of eight women and four men at Teesside Crown Court took just over 30 minutes to unanimously find him guilty of the offence.The court earlier heard Neave complained after buying the drug how he had difficulty opening the wrap because of the way it had been tightly tied.
He referred to Quinn as "Philly 50 Knots".The deal took place in Sheriff Street on November 9 last year during Cleveland Police's Operation Beckford and Quinn was arrested when officers searched his house on May 1.Neave, 42, of Waverley Terrace, Hartlepool, who Quinn had known since their schooldays, was sentenced to three years in prison in September.He had admitted 27 counts of supplying Class A drugs, including the crack cocaine sold to Quinn, between September 26 and November 14 last year.Quinn was remanded in custody until he is sentenced on a date still to be fixed.

Phillip Quinn was yesterday convicted of supplying pal Michael Neave with crack cocaine during a swoop on drug dealers.

Phillip Quinn was yesterday convicted of supplying pal Michael Neave with crack cocaine during a swoop on drug dealers.Neave called Quinn, 41, and arranged to buy some of the highly addictive drug for a supposed user, who unbeknown to either of them was a undercover policeman.The conversation was recorded on a secret wire and the officer drove to Quinn's home in Sheriff Street, Hartlepool.The policeman watched as Neave and Quinn climbed into a car before Neave returned with a £20 wrap of crack cocaine.Quinn denied selling him the drug and claimed Neave must have had it already or got it from somewhere else.But a jury of eight women and four men at Teesside Crown Court took just over 30 minutes to unanimously find him guilty of the offence.The court earlier heard Neave complained after buying the drug how he had difficulty opening the wrap because of the way it had been tightly tied.
He referred to Quinn as "Philly 50 Knots".The deal took place in Sheriff Street on November 9 last year during Cleveland Police's Operation Beckford and Quinn was arrested when officers searched his house on May 1.Neave, 42, of Waverley Terrace, Hartlepool, who Quinn had known since their schooldays, was sentenced to three years in prison in September.He had admitted 27 counts of supplying Class A drugs, including the crack cocaine sold to Quinn, between September 26 and November 14 last year.Quinn was remanded in custody until he is sentenced on a date still to be fixed.

Stephen Proudman was jailed for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug on March 15 with intent to supply

Stephen Proudman then approached them and he said that he had drugs - cocaine - for friends.He had two bags and he said he had been given the smaller bag for looking after the larger amount and £450.He said he was looking after the cocaine for a friend who had gone into town and had not wanted to take them with him, Teesside Crown Court was told.Shaun Grainger, defending, said Proudman, 22, had never been in trouble before and he was approached by someone who he knew was a street dealer and from who he had bought cocaine before.Proudman was asked to look after the drugs for the evening and to hand them back the following morning.Mr Grainger added: “He is very much at the bottom of any supply line.“He has shown remorse and he comes across as a polite young man who regrets what he has done. He has taken steps to address his social drug taking and to distance himself from the man who asked him to look after the drugs.“He is not someone who is likely to ever trouble these courts again.”Judge Michael Taylor told Proudman: “You appear to be a decent young man.
“You are asked by your dealer to mind the drugs and his stash, and you know that people are going to profit from that and it causes misery to others.“But those who are involved in any way, shape or form in the supply chain of Class A drugs know that prison is inevitable.”Proudman of Rousham Gardens, Middlesbrough, was jailed for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug on March 15 with intent to supply.

Stephen Proudman was jailed for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug on March 15 with intent to supply

Stephen Proudman then approached them and he said that he had drugs - cocaine - for friends.He had two bags and he said he had been given the smaller bag for looking after the larger amount and £450.He said he was looking after the cocaine for a friend who had gone into town and had not wanted to take them with him, Teesside Crown Court was told.Shaun Grainger, defending, said Proudman, 22, had never been in trouble before and he was approached by someone who he knew was a street dealer and from who he had bought cocaine before.Proudman was asked to look after the drugs for the evening and to hand them back the following morning.Mr Grainger added: “He is very much at the bottom of any supply line.“He has shown remorse and he comes across as a polite young man who regrets what he has done. He has taken steps to address his social drug taking and to distance himself from the man who asked him to look after the drugs.“He is not someone who is likely to ever trouble these courts again.”Judge Michael Taylor told Proudman: “You appear to be a decent young man.
“You are asked by your dealer to mind the drugs and his stash, and you know that people are going to profit from that and it causes misery to others.“But those who are involved in any way, shape or form in the supply chain of Class A drugs know that prison is inevitable.”Proudman of Rousham Gardens, Middlesbrough, was jailed for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to possession of a Class A drug on March 15 with intent to supply.