Jailed: Man, 21, caught in Bridgnorth street with heroin and cocaine

Alex Hill, 21, admitted offences of possession of a quantity of diamorphine with intent to supply, possession of 44 wraps of cocaine with intent to supply and possession of a bladed article.

After being arrested in Lodge Lane, Bridgnorth, on October 29 last year, he claimed he had no choice but to sell illegal drugs because he owed personal drug debts to other dealers higher up in the chain.

His activities were nipped in the bud after he was tracked down in the town centre by police officers with the help of a sniffer dog. The search followed a separate incident in which a man from the area was stabbed in the leg shortly after 7pm.

Prosecuting barrister Ms Gurpreet Rheel told Shrewsbury Crown Court that Hill was found in the front garden of a property in Lodge Road, by a dog handler who had been called to assist.

“Other officers attended the scene and a search was carried out. As a result a large hunting knife was found in the pocket of his hoodie and he was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon. Wraps of powder were also found in his pockets and he was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs.

“In total they found 59 brown and white substances in his pockets along with £151.15 in cash. Sample tests were carried out on the items and were found to be heroin and cocaine. The wraps had an estimated street value of £590.”

She said Hill, of Tithe Croft, Heath Town, Wolverhampton, had three previous convictions for violent disorder in 2016, and battery and theft in 2013.

Mr Jon Row, mitigating, said: “Unfortunately he is a young man who has used drugs from a young age. He used cannabis from the age of 12. Last year he started to use Class A drugs which spiralled out of control.

“He built up drug debts and manufactured a situation where he was indebted to street dealers.

“While I accept there were financial benefits to him, he played a lesser role and there was an amount of pressure on him. He was naive. He spent his 21st birthday in prison and has used his time well by undertaking courses. He is also clear of drugs.”

For the drugs offences Hill was jailed for two years and four months, for the knife offence two months to run consecutively. He must serve half of the term before being released on licence.

Judge Peter Barrie ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and the knife and the seizure of the cash that was found when the defendant was arrested.

He told Hill: “I have accepted that you took the role and was sent to deal to street users in Bridgnorth on behalf of others higher up the supply chain.”