Half-a-kilo of cocaine found at Leeds home, but resident avoids immediate custody
Judge took mercy after saying defendant was “preyed upon”
A man mixed up in drugs and found to be stashing more than £50,000 worth of cocaine at home has avoided immediate custody.
Sean White was found to be housing almost half-a-kilo of the drug at his home in east Leeds.
He appeared at Leeds Crown Court this week where he admitted being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug, and a Class B drug - cannabis.
Police watched the 45-year-old leave his home on Eastwood Garth in Swarcliffe on May 4 and get into a taxi.
He was followed and arrested from the vehicle, prosecutor Andrew Pickin told the court.
The property was then searched and they found the block of cocaine, weighing 461 grammes, along with cutting agents.
In the loft they found 40 immature cannabis plants growing.
White, has five previous convictions for nine offences, mainly for driving.
No mitigation was offered after Judge Ray Singh said he would not lock him up.
He pointed to a “good” probation report into White, but gave no further details, telling him his “saving grace” were his early guilty pleas.
He added: “It means your sentence will fall into an area that could be suspended.
“You may have been preyed upon by those who were far more sophisticated.”
He gave him a 28-month sentence, suspended for 24 months.
He also ordered he complete 10 rehabilitation days with probation.