Leeds drug dealer hid 'fearsome' machete in bin after police called to fight in Armley

Bryan Kiggwe, 25, of Barden Mount in Armley, was sentenced for possession of the weapon and being in possession of cannabis and cocaine with intent to supply at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday.

Kiggwe was due to stand trial for the three charges this month but pleaded guilty in March.

The court heard that Kiggwe previously received a 75-month sentence in 2019 for a string of eight robberies and possession of a bladed article.

Police were called to reports of a fight on Barden Mount on October 4 last year and Kiggwe was seen wearing a balaclava and putting a machete in a bin.

For the prosecution, Michael Smith showed the judge a picture of the weapon and said: “Your honour may conclude that is a fearsome weapon of a serious nature.”

Kiggwe was arrested and police found bags of cocaine and cannabis near to the scene too. They found further proof of drug dealing, including a mobile phone, when they later searched Kiggwe’s property.

In interview, Kiggwe said that the phone was not his and that he had found it and “was looking to return it to its owner”.

The mobile phone indicated that Kiggwe ran a “ring and bring” drug dealing line; advertising drugs as well as making threats of violence to those who owed him money.

One of the threats was to “put a Rambo knife in someone’s head” if they didn’t pay.

Mr Smith said that the information from the phone indicated that Kiggwe had a “significant role” in drug dealing.

For the defence, Lily Wildman said that Kiggwe had turned to drug dealing as he “felt he had no choice after being released (from prison) and struggled financially”.

Kiggwe had also indicated that he carried the knife “for his own protection”, but this was dismissed by His Honour Judge Christopher Batty, who suspected he used it to “enforce the threats”.

Judge Batty sentenced Kiggwe to 45 months in prison, of which he will serve half before being considered for release on license.