During a search of his home, they later found a safe and a book called ‘The Cannabis Growing Bible’ in his bedroom
Matthew Hutchinson appeared at Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
A cocaine user who had been spending £120 a day on the drug turned to potentially lucrative street dealing in Beverley as a way of raising some quick money to fund his growing addiction. Police caught Matthew Hutchinson red-handed in the street after midnight with stashes of cocaine and cannabis.
A search of his home revealed articles and books about cannabis, including one called Cannabis Growing Bible, in his bedroom, Hull Crown Court heard. Hutchinson, 24, of Norwood, Beverley, admitted possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply on August 4, 2023.
James O’Connor, prosecuting, said that police were told about two men in Norwood at about 12.30am. Hutchinson was on a bicycle and police took hold of it, causing him to fall off.
He was detained and he said: “You may as well take this. I have got loads of cannabis in it.” A large amount of cannabis was found in a rucksack as well as a set of scales and a grinder.
Police found two small bags of cocaine in Hutchinson’s wallet. During a search of his home, a safe was found in his bedroom. Items inside included a mobile phone, 22 bags of cocaine and two packets of cannabis seeds.
Literature about cannabis was found, including a book called Cannabis Growing Bible. The total cocaine found was 7.4g and the total cannabis was 75g. The total street value was £1,435.
Messages on the phone indicated street dealing. “There is clearly a financial advantage here and he had some knowledge of the scale,” said Mr O’Connor. During two interviews, Hutchinson made no comment to all questions.
Holly Thompson, mitigating, said that it was serious offending but Hutchinson had no previous convictions and he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. There were three references for him.
He acted entirely out of character. “He now shows a great deal of insight and understanding into his offending,” said Miss Thompson. “He does take full accountability and responsibility.
“He realises the impact on others. All of this stems from the defendant’s increasing addiction to cocaine. He started using it recreationally, as most do.”
Hutchinson’s addiction became daily and he began dealing on the streets of Beverley to continue funding that. He built up a drug debt. “He was simply acting as a runner,” said Miss Thompson.
“This was low-weight deals and a low valuation to fund his cocaine addiction. At the peak of his usage, he was taking £120 a day of cocaine. He hasn’t used any for four months. “There has been no new offending of any kind.” Hutchinson had kept away from any friends who used cocaine. He had a good work ethic but he was currently unemployed.
Recorder Taryn Turner told Hutchinson: “The phone evidence showed repeated and ongoing street dealing. This is serious offending. The supply of Class A drugs causes incalculable harm to communities.
“It was persistent and was motivated by financial gain and, indeed, your own gain in the supply of drugs. At the time, you were a drug addict, vulnerable to influence from others.”
The public needed to be protected but Hutchinson had “taken remarkable steps since then” to change his behaviour.
Hutchinson was given a two-year suspended prison sentence, 150 hours’ unpaid work and 15 days’ rehabilitation.
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