A MOULTON drug dealer was rumbled after police found his fingerprints on a 1.2kg package of cannabis during a stop check.
Officers stopped a car belonging to James Dowd, of Crewe, on August 8, 2024, where they found the drugs and paraphernalia, such as scales and a graft phone.
Charlie Moore, of Main Road, Moulton, was later arrested after his fingerprints were discovered on the drug package, which had a cash value of more than £7,7680.
An investigation of the Moore's phone also showed multiple drugs related messages.
Moore, 21, was subsequently charged with two counts of possessing cannabis and cannabis resin with intent to supply, and two counts of being concerned in the supply of cannabis and cocaine - all of which he initially denied before changing his pleas earlier this year.
Dowd, 34, was charged with and admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of the class B drug.
The pair appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, April 23, where they were spared an immediate jail sentence by District Judge John McGarva.
Moore had been set to stand trial but the Crown Prosecution Service accepted the basis of his guilty plea for being concerned in the supply of cocaine but only on occasion.
The prosecution added the crown accepted Moore’s plea that he was only involved in one day but said that ‘he did allow others to run up drug debts and he also advertised pricing from his graft phone’.
The judge heard that Moore 'was in debt and was acting to clear that’.
Dowd also sent flare messages and set his own prices, the prosecution added.
Ryan Rothwell, defending Moore, said his client was threatened into possessing and dealing the cocaine and he ‘acted in fear’.
He added: “He said he was beaten, his mother frightened, and he was paid in drugs.”
Mr Rothwell added his client was assessed as low-level offending and had a high chance of rehabilitation as per his pre-sentence report.
The barrister added: “Since his arrest, he has removed himself away from the peers who took drugs and has not taken any drugs since.
“He was using drugs because of bullying, and it was noted in his PSR that he would struggle in custody.”
DJ McGarva took the unusual step of sentencing Moore before he had heard Dowd’s mitigation.
He told Moore: “You will know more than anybody that drug dealing causes misery to everyone.
“Anything that you have felt through this has been no doubt felt by the people taking the drugs you supplied.
“You were only 19 when these offences took place and you lacked maturity.”
DJ McGarva sentenced Moore to two years in prison, suspended for the same period.
He was given 20 rehabilitation activity days and 80 hours unpaid work.
For Dowd, DJ McGarva was told that ‘he takes full responsibility for the offending as per his pre-sentence report’.
His barrister said: “He has shown full remorse for his behaviour and doesn’t normally live a criminal life.
“He is well supported by his family and is looking for a job that allows him to be a carer for his mother.”
Sentencing him, DJ McGarva said: “You pleaded guilty in the magistrates court at the first possible opportunity.
“Drug use causes long-term issues such as psychosis and mental health problems, and I’ve met many a man and woman who have suffered from high-strength cannabis.
“Your role in this is higher than your co-defendant’s because you decided who got credit.”
Dowd was jailed for eight months, suspended for a year, with 80 hours unpaid work.
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