Police found drugs in car during Nelson petrol station stop
Blackburn[1] magistrates heard the officers discovered crack cocaine and heroin in the glovebox along with quantities of valium, morphine sulphate and pregabalin. Paul Ludlum, who was the front seat passenger, admitted all the drugs belonged to him as well as a pizza knife which was also recovered. Ludlum, 51, of Casterton Avenue, Burnley[2], pleaded guilty to five charges of drug possession and one of possessing a knife in a public place.
He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with 20 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and six months Drug Rehabilitation Requirement. He was ordered to pay GBP85 costs and GBP114 victim surcharge. District Judge Alexandra Preston said the Drug Rehabilitation Requirement was there to help Ludlum.
“You are 51 years old and have a whole host of physical health problems which are probably related to the drugs,” she said. Jackie Partington, prosecuting, said there were several people in the car when it was stopped on the Texaco petrol station off Scotland Road in Nelson. The drugs and the knife were found in the glovebox.
“He tried to say he had brought the pizza knife with him by accident but accepted he had no lawful excuse for having it with him,” said Miss Partington. Nick Dearing, mitigating, said his client was not the sole occupant of the car but had taken full responsibility for all the drugs. “His record reflects that he is a long-standing drug addict,” said Mr Dearing.
“He knows the drugs will kill him and he has seen a number of friends and relatives die as a result of drug abuse.
He would benefit from the intervention of the Probation Service.”