Cash, drugs and a police-style baton were found at his home
Leon Smith has been jailed for drugs offences(Image: Hull Live)
A young Hull man cleared of murder and manslaughter following a high-profile trial in late 2024 has ended up in prison – after being jailed for drugs offences and having a police-style baton. Cannabis user Leon Smith had, unusually, been on bail during the murder trial – unlike his two co-defendants, who were both remanded in custody.
The three were accused of murdering Jonathan Hutty, who died after a violent attack in his flat. Smith was cleared by the jury at Hull Crown Court in December 2024. Mr Hutty, 49, was left in a “deep coma” and he suffered serious face and head injuries after he was “left for dead” – unconscious on the floor and face down in a pool of blood.
Smith, 25, of Leitholm Close, Bransholme, Hull, but already in custody on remand, admitted the new offences of being concerned in supplying cocaine and cannabis between September 1 and November 20. He also admitted possessing a police-style baton as an offensive weapon in a private place and possessing cannabis on May 29 last year.
Oliver Norman, prosecuting, said that police executed a search warrant at Smith’s then home in Grasby Road, off Holderness Road, east Hull, on May 29 and carried out a search. Cannabis was found in several containers and there were bags of skunk cannabis for Smith’s personal use.
There was 28g of cannabis resin and 17g of skunk cannabis. A police-type baton was found as well as £1,400 cash in the kitchen and £190 in a bedroom.
The drug dealing offences later came to light after police analysed telephone records and discovered that regular bulk messages for sales of cocaine and cannabis were being sent out from a phone linked to Smith. When they went to see Smith, they dialled the number and a phone, that was in his possession, rang.
More cannabis was found on November 28 as well as cash. There were clothes and two receipts from Flannels clothes store, Hull, for £2,193 and £2,325. During police interview, Smith made no comment to questions.
He had convictions for six previous offences, including possessing a blade in public and possessing cannabis. “He has never been to prison before,” said Mr Norman.
At the trial in November and December 2024, Smith, then 23 and, at the time, living in Grasby Road, and Gavin Leaning, now 53, of Padstow House, Bransholme, both denied murdering Mr Hutty. Leaning was cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. He was jailed for 13 years.
Smith was cleared of murder and manslaughter. Ian Smalley, now 55, of Hutt Street, off Spring Bank, Hull, admitted murdering Mr Hutty, who died on March 11, 2024, two weeks after a violent incident on February 24 of that year.
He originally denied murder but he asked to change his plea part way through the prosecution’s opening of the case. He was jailed for life, with a minimum of nearly 17 years.
Harry Bradford, mitigating for Smith in the latest case: “While he has been in Hull, he witnessed a murder. It was the case of Ian Smalley. He was quite close when this incident happened. He has found himself physically unable to sleep.”
Smith had been self-medicating on cannabis to help him. “He began smoking cannabis at a young age,” said Mr Bradford. Smith was spending £30 to £60 a day on cannabis.
“He was addicted to cannabis and was using some of the funds of this offending to fund this addiction,” said Mr Bradford. “He has been using this dealing to fund his own habit.
“There is clear remorse, evidenced by his guilty plea.” Smith had worked previously as a labourer, including bricklaying.
Judge John Thackray KC told Smith that he had clearly been drug dealing on a significant scale. “You managed to fund over £4,000-worth of purchases from Flannels,” said Judge Thackray.
“You were motivated by greed and you showed no consideration for the devastation and misery caused in our communities because of drugs. You had close knowledge of a homicide in this city.
“It must be a custodial sentence.” Smith was jailed for two-and-a-half years.