One of them was described in court as a ’20 year old pretending to be something bigger than he actually was’
Jack Silvester and Sara Holmes(Image: Humberside Police)
A young drug dealer heavily involved in a “significant” heroin and crack cocaine operation was “a 20-year-old pretending to be something bigger than he actually was”. Jack Silvester used drugs including “laughing gas” to give him a feeling of confidence and “bravado”.
He hastily tried to run out of the back door of a house when police arrived to carry out a search at the home of a woman. Officers found large quantities of drugs there, Hull Crown Court heard.
Silvester, 20, of Saxcourt, Orchard Park estate, north Hull, denied being concerned in supplying heroin and crack cocaine and possessing cash as criminal property on May 28 but he was convicted after a trial. He admitted possessing Pregablin. Sara Holmes, 39, of Dunswell Close, Bransholme, Hull, admitted being concerned in offering to supply heroin and being concerned in supplying crack cocaine.
Harry Bradford, prosecuting, said that police spotted Silvester speaking to a group of suspected drug users. Holmes was at the junction of 12th Avenue, north Hull. She later passed something to a group of suspected drug users.
Police went to a house in Dunswell Street where Holmes lived. They searched the property and found her and Silvester. “He attempted to run out of the back door but he was apprehended,” said Mr Bradford.
Crack cocaine, heroin, digital weighing scales, cannabis and a handwritten list of drug supply details were found. There was £1,170 cash on Silvester. Crack cocaine was found on Holmes. The total drugs found were 7.58g of heroin in 70 wraps and 8.04g of crack cocaine in 40 wraps. Text messages indicated that Silvester was directing the supply of drugs.
Silvester and Holmes made no comment to questions during police interview. He had convictions for nine previous offences, including burglary, theft and criminal damage.
Holmes had convictions for 33 previous offences, including burglary, theft and handling stolen goods. She had been jailed for three-and-a-half years in 2014 and had been jailed in 2012 for burglary.
Dale Brook, mitigating, said that Silvester had no previous convictions for drug supply offences. He had been addicted to drugs, including Pregabalin, ketamine and nitrous oxide “laughing gas” at the time.
“He used drugs as a form of self-medication,” said Mr Brook. “It made him feel better about the world and made him feel better about himself.”
The drugs led to him showing “bravado” and he was “a 20-year-old pretending to be something bigger than he actually was”. He had spent a significant period of time in custody on remand.
Rachel Scott, representing Holmes, said that the defendant had been in custody on remand for just short of eight months. She was a runner only and she was paid in drugs. She had no influence on anyone higher up the chain.
Recorder Andrew Dallas said that Silvester was involved in a significant drug supply operation out of the house where Holmes was living. “There was a significant quantity of heroin and crack in the house,” said Recorder Dallas. “This was serious offending.”
He told Holmes: “You found yourself running drugs for somebody else in order to be given drugs. Your house was being used.”
Silvester was sent to a young offenders’ institution for two-and-a-half years. Holmes was given a 16-month suspended prison sentence, six months’ drug rehabilitation and 15 days’ rehabilitation. The £1,170 cash seized will be forfeited.