
He threw 10 bags of cocaine over a wall when police confronted him
Eagle-eyed CCTV operators spotted a suspected furtive drug deal going on in the area of Bridlington beach and quickly called in the police, who soon caught the culprit red-handed. Royd Bricklebank tried in desperation to throw 10 bags of cocaine over a wall but it was too late to try to talk his way out of trouble and more drugs were also later found at his home, Hull Crown Court heard.
Bricklebank, 34, of Williamsfield Road, Hutton Cranswick, near Driffield, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and supplying cocaine in Bridlington on April 11 last year. The court heard that civic CCTV operators spotted what seemed to be a drug deal going on in the area of the beach and seafront at Bridlington.
Police went there in an attempt to stop the drug dealing and Bricklebank threw 10 bags of cocaine over a beach wall. His home was searched and messages on a mobile phone indicated that he was significantly involved in some sort of drugs operation.
The total weight of the drugs found was 3 to 5g. Police also found scales and £80 cash at the house. Ten bags of cocaine were found at the beach, with another two bags at his home.
Billy Torbett, mitigating, said that Bricklebank pleaded guilty at an early stage and his most recent previous conviction was in 2017 for an offence of violence. There were no previous convictions for drugs. “He was funding a drug habit and to afford birthday presents for his son,” said Mr Torbett. “He was arrested on his son’s birthday.
“His world spiralled and he was really struggling to get back on track.” He had been on Universal Credit but he went out and spent £300 on drugs in the hope of making £150 profit.
Judge John Thackray KC told Bricklebank: “Bridlington, like many towns and cities, is plagued by the use and distribution of Class A drugs, which destroys lives and destroys communities, and you were playing your role, as you candidly admitted, for financial gain.
“Your case is aggravated by your previous convictions but you have been out of trouble for some time and you have no convictions for drugs. You fell on hard times but that’s no excuse.
“This is obviously serious offending. The offences are so serious that only immediate custody can be justified.”
Bricklebank, who had been on bail, was jailed for two years and eight months.
