Police found a meat cleaver and an air rifle, the court heart
Jordan Bottomley admitted offering to supply crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis. He also admitted possessing cocaine and breaching a 12-week suspended prison sentence.(Image: Humberside Police)
Police found a stash of potentially lethal weapons, including a meat cleaver, a lock knife, an air rifle and an asp, after searching the home of a drug dealer. They also found a pile of £1,250 cash in his home but he was “adamant” that he and members of his family had saved it, including from his benefits payments, for a holiday, Hull Crown Court heard.
Jordan Bottomley, 32, of Hotham Square, Beverley, but recently in custody on remand, admitted offering to supply crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis between August 11 last year and March 6 this year. He also admitted possessing cocaine and breaching a 12-week suspended prison sentence imposed on September 11 for assault.
Samantha Laws, prosecuting, said that, while police were investigating an unrelated matter, they seized a mobile phone belonging to another person. It was examined and was found to contain chats with Bottomley.
There were messages about crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis deals that were for sale direct to users. There was mention of Bottomley “doing a wash” – meaning “washing” cocaine to make crack cocaine.
Bottomley’s home was searched on March 6 and among the items found were a lock knife, an asp, a bag containing cocaine and a total of £1,250 cash. There were also several mobile phones, digital scales, a bulk quantity of zipper bags, a meat cleaver and an air rifle.
On a camera was a video of a bag of cannabis in the kitchen. No cannabis was found, however. On a second search, more links to offers of drug deals were found.
Bottomley claimed that the cash found was money saved by him from his Universal Credit and by members of his family for a holiday. He had convictions for 27 previous offences, including for dishonesty and failing to attend for a drugs test.
Marc Luxford, mitigating, said that Bottomley had no previous convictions for drugs offences. “He was on a bad path,” said Mr Luxford. Bottomley was making the most of his time in custody and he was a wing cleaner.
“He is a man that wishes to integrate back into society,” said Mr Luxford. “It’s his first drug supply offence. He has not offended in this way previously.
“He is adamant that the cash is not the proceeds of crime. He says that it was savings from the family for a holiday.”
Judge John Thackray KC told Bottomley: “On September 11, you were given a golden opportunity. You were given a suspended sentence.
“That was an opportunity to prove yourself and keep out of trouble. Sadly, you have got yourself involved in Class A drug dealing and over a significant period between August last year and March 6 this year.
“Class A drugs and Class B drugs ruin lives. They destroy communities.” The weapons found indicated involvement in drug dealing and were often found in such cases, said Judge Thackray.
Bottomley was jailed for three years and four months. The £1,250 cash seized will be forfeited and given to the St Paul’s boxing club charity, Hull.