Drug dealer’s world comes crashing down after police pull him over
A man who turned to drug dealing to climb his way out of debt was caught by police with cannabis and £2,572 in bank notes in his car, a court[1] heard. The discovery led officers to find 36 cannabis plants with a potential street value of £30,000 at Scott Roper’s home.
Lincoln Crown Court heard Roper, 33, was driving a VW Golf when he failed to stop for police who pulled the car over in Newark and found the drugs, the cash and a phone used for his deals. He was arrested and taken to Grantham Police Station and the next day officers discovered the cannabis grow at his home in Pinfold Place, Harby, Leicestershire.
David Eager, prosecuting, said the cannabis in his car comprised 45.75 grammes split between three bags valued at £460, and three smaller quantities worth £60, £20 and £5. He said: “He’s a street dealer who’s growing his own cannabis to deal.
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“His home address was searched. Thirty-six cannabis plants were found to be growing in three grow tents. It was a commercial grow. Not the most sophisticated of grows but the yields had a potential street value of £30,000 and a wholesale value of £7,500.
“Telephone work was done by the police and that revealed numerous messages by people asking to be supplied drugs.” The court heard Roper moved out of the address in Harby after his brother took his own life there and that Roper lives with his mum whom he supports with a £25,000 inheritance.
Roper, of Sportman’s Row, Grantham, indicated guilty pleas on February 2, this year to possessing cannabis with intent to supply on December 26, 2020, and producing cannabis on December 27, 2020.
Leanne Summers, for Roper, told the sentencing hearing on March 30 he “involved himself” as a result of being in debt. She said: “He accepts there was some financial gain but he was supplying to people he knows – a small circle of friends.
“He no longer smokes cannabis. He gave up five months ago. His mum tells me she would not have him living with her if he smoked cannabis.” Miss Summers said Roper expressed surprise that a pre-sentence report on him written by the Probation Service was in some areas factually inaccurate and that it created the general impression that Roper felt he was above the law.
She said: “That certainly is not his attitude to this process. He feels the report has inaccurately represented his views.” His Honour Judge Simon Hirst sentenced Roper to 12 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and up to 25 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.
The judge told him: “If you commit any other offence in the next two years you will go to prison for 12 months for these matters, with something on top. If you decide not to bother with your RAR days, you will be back in court. You are free to go.”
References
- ^ court (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Poll – Is the government doing enough to help with the cost of living? (xd.wayin.com)