Stumbling Leeds motorist found with car full of cocaine avoids jail after staggering six-year delay
Police thought “drunken” man was about to drive
A drug dealer was given a “real chance” after it took six years for him to be brought to court.
Steven Sharp was caught £3,600 worth of cocaine in his car but was spared immediate custody.
Prosecutor Rachel Webster told Leeds Crown Court that officers had spotted Sharp using his keys to get into a Seat Leon on the evening of December 14, 2019, on Beech Avenue, Armley.
They thought he “looked under the influence” to moved in to stop him driving off. He tried to run but was quickly detained on suspicion of being over the prescribed limit.
A search of the vehicle later uncovered more than 90 grammes of cocaine worth around £3,600, weighing scales and zip-lock bags.
Sharp, of Highgate Mill, Bradford, gave a prepared statement saying he was not intending to drive but was living in his car at the time after splitting from his partner. He made no comments about the drugs.
He has three previous convictions, including drink driving.
The 44-year-old admitted a charge of dealing in Class A drugs.
A probation report said the father-of-three had been addicted to drugs, made worse by the loss of his mother.
He has been clean from drugs for more than five years.
Judge Simon Phillips KC asked why the case had been delayed for six years, with Sharp’s barrister, Eddison Flint, explaining that despite a warrant being issued, Sharp had not “gone to ground”.
It was only when he was stopped in his car over a traffic misdemeanour that officers realised Sharp was wanted.
Judge Phillips opted to give him a three-year sentence, suspended for 24 months, and ordered him to complete 10 rehabilitation days.
He said that had he been dealt with in the months after being arrested, he would have been sent into custody.
He told him: “You have been given a real chance, a chance you may not have expected.”