Leeds man caught with wraps of heroin and cocaine after dealer ordered him to look after drugs stash

Michael Sharlotte claimed he had just bought the class A drugs from a woman at a bus stop when he was caught by police officers.

Leeds Crown Court heard Sharlotte was a front seat passenger in a car being driven by another man on September 6, 2017.

The driver sped off after seeing the police officers.

The officers then ordered the driver to stop the vehicle and Sharlotte got out and began walking away.

Christopher Smith, prosecuting, said the officers stopped Sharlotte as he appeared to hiding something down his trousers.

Sharlotte, 26, of Amberton Crescent, Gipton, initially claimed the drugs were for his own used and that he had bought them from a woman at a bus stop.

His home was searched and no drugs were found at the property.

His phone was analysed and no text messages were found indicating that Sharlotte had been dealing drugs.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a class A drug with intent to supply.

Sharlotte pleaded guilty to the offences on the basis that he had been told to look after the drugs by the other man and had no intention of selling them.

Mr Smith said Sharlotte's basis of plea was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Sampson said Sharlotte got into the vehicle to buy drugs for his own use from the man.

He said: "The driver of the vehcile told him to get out of the car and hold these drugs and that he would be back in one hour.

"He knew that the police were behind him and the defendant did not. The rest is history."

Sharlotte was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work and complete 16 rehabilitation activity requirement days.