Telford drug dealer threw bag of methadone out of window during police raid

Nicky Bradley and his former partner Carly Jones were found at the home in Furnace Road, Snedshill, as it was being searched by police.

Officers called at the house on June 18, and the pair were found in an upstairs room, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.

Mr Jonathan Dickinson, prosecuting, said: "As police moved in, the defendant Bradley threw a bag containing 25.6g of methadone out of the window. This was later removed by police and believed to have a value of between £200 and £400.

"A bag containing cocaine was also thrown and there were numerous empty zip-lock bags and electronic scales.

"Some £760 cash was also found along with a debtors list.

"They were arrested and their mobile phones were seized. Both contained messages relating to drug dealing."

Bradley 33, now of Claremont Mews, Newdale, had previously admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possessing methadone with intent to supply and possessing cocaine.

He admitted the charge on the basis that he was supplying the drugs to friends to fund his own addiction to drugs and alcohol and claimed the money was being saved for a wedding.

Jones, 27, of Furnace Road, also admitted being concerned with the supply of cocaine and possessing methadone with intent to supply at the same hearing.

Mr Dickinson said Jones had a much lower-level of involvement in the dealing.

Mr Danny Smith, for Bradley, said he was a father-of-five and was relied on to provide emotional and financial support for his family.

He said: "He also had a son who died at nine months old."

Mr Smith said Bradley, a self-employed bricklayer, had turned to selling drugs to help cover the costs of his addiction.

John Hedgecoe, for Jones, said that she had split with Bradley and was beginning to build a new life for herself and her young son.

Judge Peter Barrie ordered Bradley to serve a two-year jail sentence suspended for two years for being concerned in the dealing of cocaine, and ordered him to serve a 60-day rehabilitation activity requirement, with a six-session alcohol treatment and a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

For the second count involving the methadone, he was give a further eight-month sentence, suspended for two years, to run concurrently.

For possession of cocaine he was given a further one-month sentence, suspended for two years, to run concurrently.

Jones was ordered to serve an 18-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, a rehabilitation activity requirement of 60 days and 80 hours unpaid work for being involved in the supply of cocaine.

For the methadone, she was given a further six-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, to run concurrently.

The pair will appear at a proceeds of crime hearing at the court on February 17.