Pudsey dealer who 'wanted jail' is spared custody again after missing unpaid-work punishment
Judge told he has since apologised for outburst
A drug-dealing student who was told he was fortunate not to be locked up has been spared custody again, despite telling probation that “prison would be easier”.
Kenzie Pitts was given a suspended sentence earlier this for his involvement in supplying heroin and cocaine.
But the 24-year-old was returned to Leeds Crown Court this week for two breaches of his sentence order, which he admitted.
He had failed to show for an unpaid work appointment in June and for missing a rehabilitation programme in August.
The court was told he that Pitts had told probation that he would “rather go to prison” than complete the expected work.
But prosecutor Emily Jenkins said he had since re-engaged with probation and apologised for his comments, claiming he said them out of frustration.
Mitigating, Charles Creasey said that the apology “spoke volumes” and that he clearly regretted his words.
He said Pitts, of Ingham Avenue, Pudsey, was now a student studying a business degree. He said he had also been offered a job with a construction firm to run alongside his studies.
In April, Pitts was handed his 24-month sentence, suspended for 24 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work among other punitive elements.
He had admitted conspiring to supply Class A drugs and a Class B drug, stemming from 2020.
His two co-accused were both jailed, but Pitts escaped immediate custody largely due to his young age at the time.
This week Judge Penelope Belcher told him: “You left this court [ in April] with my warning ringing in your ears. You were so lucky to avoid custody.”
She called his comments about prison being easier as “naive” and added: “If you can’t be bothered [to do the work] I may as well send you to custody.
“I’ve been told you have no re-engaged so I’m going to add extra work hours.”
The court was told that he still has 176 hours to complete, so she gave him an extra 20 hours.
She raised concerns about him juggling his university work, his unpaid work and a full-time job, but warned him that it was his last chance and would face custody with any further breaches.