Leeds dealer found with £500 of cocaine during police stop and search avoids jail
He told arresting officers “I’m guilty aren’t I?”
A Leeds drug dealer has avoided jail despite being found with £500 worth of cocaine following a police search.
Mason Smith was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today after pleading guilty before trial to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession of Class B drugs and possession of a bladed article.
The court heard how police carried out a stop and search of two vehicles on Oakhurst Road in Beeston after discovering the occupants were using nitrous oxide, known as laughing gas.
Prosecutor Oliver Connor detailed how Smith was found to be in possession of a large black knife, a bag cannabis, 54 wraps of cocaine and four wraps of amphetamine.
A drug expert estimated the cocaine and amphetamine to be worth approximately £540 and £40 respectively, Mr Connor told the court.
The court further heard how the 23-year-old told arresting officers “I’m guilty aren’t I? I obviously got caught so what more can I do,” before later answering no comment.
Offering mitigation, defence counsel Conor Quinn told the court that his client was an “immature and young” 22-year-old at the time, who had “good potential of rehabilitation.”
He added that Smith, of Newlands Avenue, Yeadon, was diagnosed ADHD and had built up a debt from buying cannabis for himself.
Taking these matters into account, Judge Anesh Pema sentenced the defendant to 29 months in prison, suspended for 29 months.
He also made him subject to a six-month probationary requirement and drug rehabilitation order.
“You are still a very young man, immature and showing good signs of rehabilitation,” Judge Pema added.