Drug dealer spared jail term told to stay frightened of prison
A judge has told a drug dealer to "keep frightened" of prison as he gave him a suspended sentence.
Recorder Christopher Goodchild said that he had been watching Nathan Flintham during his hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
"I have been keeping an eye on you. You're scared, as I would be, of going down those stairs," he said.
"Prison officers are very civilised people, but you're going to a very uncivilised environment. For you it would be a very, very upsetting experience," he added.
Flintham had pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of cocaine and acquiring criminal property – namely the £160 he had made from dealing – at his first appearance at Telford Magistrates on January 26.
His case had been referred to Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentencing.
"The fear you have been feeling, looking at your feet from the dock absolutely in terror – remember that next time you're tempted," added Recorder Goodchild.
He described Flintham, 24, of High Street, Wellington, as "a small time dealer" and "the little man at the end of the line" and told him to "keep frightened" as he left the dock.
Flintham was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to pay £120 prosecution costs and a £100 victim surcharge.
For possession of cocaine he was given a nominal one day in custody.
Ms Nazneen Sultan, prosecuting, said police had spotted Flintham acting suspiciously in Wellington on July 14 last year.
As officers approached they smelt cannabis and questioned the defendant who admitted he had a large amount of cannabis in a shoulder bag that he was carrying.
Officers found cannabis wraps which they later valued at £140 in the bag and £160 in notes.
Ms Sultan said that on a search of the defendant's address, police had discovered dealing paraphernalia including scales and a small amount of cocaine which the defendant had admitted was for his own use.
For Flintham, Mr Stephen Scully said the defendant had fallen into debt trouble and a cycle of borrowing off friends to pay other friends.
"By his own admission he's been extremely stupid by getting himself involved," he said.
He had begun dealing to try and pay off his debts and had been immediately cooperative with the police, he added.
"He was quite vulnerable, certainly down to his personal circumstances and the person further up the chain benefitted from that," said Mr Scully.
He added that Flintham had since found himself a job doing shift work for a local firm.
