'Zombie-drug' dealer caught after police overheard phone order in Leeds city centre

The pair then quietly followed the man around the city centre until he was met by Terry Bourne, Leeds Crown Court heard this week. The user had initially approached the officers asking them for cash at around 4.30pm on June 2, 2021.

They then saw him a short time later on the phone asking to meet someone near WH Smith, and said he would give him an extra £2. Suspicious, the officers then observed the man walking to Albion Street and Merrion Street until he was approached by Bourne. After a brief conversation, the exchange of money and drugs took place and the officers moved in.

Bourne, 42, was found to have a small amount of heroin and crack cocaine on him, but more than £200 worth of spice - the synthetic cannabinoid which is often referred to as a "zombie drug" because of the near-comatose state it often leaves users.

During his police interview he denied dealing, but messages linked to selling were found on his phone. Bourne later admitted possession of heroin and crack cocaine, concerned in the supply of cocaine, dealing in spice and failing to surrender to bail.

A pre-sentence report found that Bourne had been homeless for around 10 years. Held on remand, it was heard that he was now on a methadone programme for his own heroin addiction.

Mitigating, Lucy Brown said in reference to the obvious dealing messages found on his phone: "The predominant theme was spice, there was only a very small amount of crack and heroin. He was living on the streets and was found in possession of drugs but no cash. He was supporting his own needs and nothing else. "

Judge Nathan Adams jailed Bourne for 18 months.