Leeds restaurant worker caught selling cannabis from his car in Harehills

A restaurant worker caught selling cannabis from his car in Leeds has avoided an immediate prison sentence.
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Andre Tounde was arrested on July 23 last year after police officers saw the 23-year-old stop his car and signal to a group of men known to be drug users on Shepherds Lane, Harehills.

The officers then followed Tounde's vehicle onto Chapeltown Road and he drove past a no entry sign.

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The defendant increased his speed when he noticed the police car.

Leeds Crown CourtLeeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

He stopped on Newton Lodge Road when officers signalled for him to pull over..

The car was searched when the officers noticed a cannabis grinder.

Laura Addy, prosecuting, said individual cannabis deals were found inside a rucksack along with a small amount of a class A drug.

The officers also found a baseball bat in the boot.

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His home was searched and more cannabis was found in his bedroom along with a silver Rolex watch and a set of digital scales.

Tounde was interviewed and said he used cannabis every day and took crystal meth at weekends.

He accepted selling the class B drug to others.

Tounde, of Montgomery Avenue, Headingley, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possessing a class A drug.

He has no previous convictions.

Glann Parsons, mitigating, said Tounde had worked at Tattu restaurant in Leeds until it closed due to the pandemic.

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Mr Parsons said Tounde is currently out of work and is hoping to find work over the Christmas period.

He said Tounde is originally from Cameroon and the convictions had "attracted Home Office interest".

The barrister said his client is a carer for his mother.

"He is feeling the full consequences of his actions and it proves there is no such thing as recreational drugs.

"It is criminal and it destroys lives."

Judge Neil Clark said: "You have lost your good character through being stupid. You have really put yourself in a difficult position."

Tounde was made the subject of a 12-month community order and told he must complete 160 hours of unpaid work.