Texts on Liam Clarke's phone revealed he had sent a Valentine's Day special offer text for discounted cocaine to his customers, as well as other drug dealing messages.
The 24-year-old was caught with up to £2,500 of cocaine, but he walked free from court after a judge heard he is expecting his sixth child to be born in two months' time.
At least he's working hard at something...
Peter White, defending, said Clarke pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was entitled to a third reduction of any sentence as a result.
Mr White said: "He was using cocaine at the time and fell out of employment."
It was just an accident, see? Like he tripped, or something.
He told the court Clarke was 23 at the time and had two step children and two biological children, while shortly after the offence his third biological child was born.
Mr White explained that his partner is due to give birth to Clarke's fourth biological child in June.
Breeding his own criminal empire?
He told the court Clarke has "taken on a great deal of responsibility".
Really..? Sounds a lot more like it's the taxpayer who pays into the benefit systems that's taking all the responsibility to me...
The judge, Recorder David O'Mahony, said: "The strongest reason for suspending it is the effect your immediate custody would have on others. I have particular regard to the reference I have read from your partner."
Speaking about the offence, the judge said: "You were selling drugs for income to support your family.
"You did have a cocaine habit yourself and some was for personal use but the majority was to sell."
"The author of the pre-sentence report says you have not used drugs since then.
"You appear to have taken some steps to deal with your addiction."
The judge said he had read references from family members who "spoke highly" of Clarke.
Well, yes, I suppose they did. So what?
"I have taken an exceptional course. Many judges would have felt they were unable by sentencing guidelines to do it.
"What it does mean is if you commit any offence at all in the next two years you can be pretty certain you will go to prison."
Can he? I'm not so certain.
5 comments:
Any suspended sentence should be on the condition he names his supplier. No name, no suspended sentence. Unfortunately, the courts are staffed by Humphries.
Penseivat
'Valentines discount'? Got to give him some credit for marketing I suppose. The guy who supplies my fags often brings free gifts, usually Polish chocolates. It's the little things...
I have always been a benefit of the doubt kind of guy. I've always thought that everyone should be allowed at least one stupid mistake in their lives. When I was in my teens I did some pretty stupid stuff and was lucky to have not attracted the attention of the police or attracted death or serious injury.
The problem here seems to be that the benefit of the doubt principle is being taken far beyond sensible limits. These people are never going to become useful members of society, they are a waste of space.
I often wonder if these kind of judges are worried about inflicting criminals upon the prison population,
there are much more low hanging fruit
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9521123/Moment-police-arrest-elderly-preacher-71-street-quoting-homophobic-statements-Bible.html
"Any suspended sentence should be on the condition he names his supplier. No name, no suspended sentence."
I'd go for that.
"'Valentines discount'? Got to give him some credit for marketing I suppose."
Heh!
"The problem here seems to be that the benefit of the doubt principle is being taken far beyond sensible limits."
Exactly!
"...there are much more low hanging fruit..."
That chap with the sandwich board who used to walk up and down Oxford Street is lucky not to be doing it any more!
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