Eagle-eyed police officers spotted a man carrying out a drug deal on a Hull street – and discovered a dealer with a knuckleduster, a court heard.
David Lyddon, 45, of Spring Bank, Hull, admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possessing a knuckleduster and cocaine on March 27.
Richard Butters, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that police officers were observing a man as he dealt in drugs in the Spring Bank and Hall Street area. He visited an address and was then accompanied by another man. The surveillance continued and another police officer saw Lyddon dealing in drugs.
The suspect was stopped and searched and was discovered with a knuckleduster and £55 in cash.
Lyddon was “entirely compliant” with police. His home was searched and a small quantity of drugs was found, deemed to be for personal use.
Lyddon had previous offences of possessing drugs. The knuckleduster was classed as a highly dangerous weapon, said Mr Butters.
Ayesha Smart, mitigating, said that Lyddon had no previous offences of possessing weapons on his record.
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He was dealing only to friends in 2017 and he had stayed out of trouble since then. Lyddon had taken to “a one-man-operation” for drugs because of a downturn in income during the Covid pandemic.
“He was using this to supplement his income,” said Miss Smart.
Lyddon was jailed for four months.
Judge Richard Woolfall said that Lyddon was dealing drugs in order to fund his own addiction. He was due to be released from prison soon, having already served time on remand.
Judge Woolfall said that Lyddon would be subject to licence conditions and supervision “with the hope that will divert you from drugs”.