Cheery upbeat messages advertising the sale of cocaine told customers “Get this town rocking!” – and their very own “boy boss man” was there to keep them “on the party level” and “treat” them.
The high-energy bulk messages sent out on Karl Warburton’s phone assured buyers “I am on all night” and that they should definitely call him if they needed any drugs, Hull Crown Court heard.
Warburton, 35, formerly of Hull, admitted being concerned in supplying cocaine and cannabis between April 21 and June 6, 2021 and similar offences again between May 15 and 20, 2022.
Michael Forrest, prosecuting, said that Warburton was discovered slumped and unconscious on the floor of a house in Hull after concerns were raised about welfare issues. Knocks on the door had gone unanswered.
A woman was also unresponsive. She had three wraps of cocaine on her but she told the police that she was holding them for Warburton. There was £160 cash, scales and a mobile phone, which contained bulk marketing messages advertising the sale of cocaine. They were signed off “Warby”.
The sales teasers told potential customers: “Get this town rocking. Warby is here to keep you all on the party level so call me if you need owt. I treat you. It’s your boy boss man Warby. I am on all night. Pass my number out.”
Warburton later claimed that he allowed another man to use his phone for drug messages and that the man impersonated him – but this was treated with scepticism by the court.
In May 2022, it was found that bulk messages advertising the sale of cocaine and cannabis has also been sent out. “The defendant appears to have had an understanding of the scale of the operation,” said Mr Forrest.
Join our WhatsApp Community for the latest crime news
Warburton was arrested and interviewed about both sets of offences. He had convictions for five previous offences, including possessing cocaine in 2020.
Mollie Briggs, mitigating, said that Warburton had now given up cocaine and he hoped to stop taking cannabis. His use of cannabis was a concern. He had been working as a builder for 18 months.
Warburton, of Ashfold, Bradford, was given a 21-month suspended prison sentence and 150 hours’ unpaid work. The £160 cash found will be forfeited and given to the Space2BHeard counselling support group.