Police now think Ingleby Barwick dealer may have played ‘leading role’

Daniel Turner appeared at Durham Crown Court for a scheduled sentence on Wednesday (February 4) by video link from Holme House Prison, Stockton.

He previously admitted offences of possessing cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of class A and B drugs, cocaine and cannabis, plus possessing criminal property, relating to a watch and cash proceeds of the sales.

But Judge Richard Bennett addressed the defendant’s counsel, Robert Mochrie, at the outset of the hearing having read a background pre-sentence report on the 21-year-old defendant.

“He has been spoken to by the Probation Service.

“He claimed he was in debt to those above him and was paying off that debt due to an addiction.

“Given the quantity of drugs and criminal property involved, I will have considerable difficulty accepting that account as a credible one.”

Mr Mochrie said he had not had the chance to speak to the defendant prior to the hearing.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said: “The police are saying he played a ‘leading role’ in the supply.

“Looking at the ‘tick list’, evidence now suggests it was into the tens of thousands of pounds.”

Mr Abrahams added: “The Crown is now considering a serious crime prevention order in this case.”

Judge Bennett said he would allow the Crown lawyers and the defendant’s counsel chance to assess the new evidence prior to a rearranged sentencing hearing.

Adjourning the case for seven weeks, Judge Bennett told Turner: “I had hoped to have been able to sentence you today.

“But, because new material has been uploaded onto the system relating to this case, both the prosecution and defence will have to consider that evidence.

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“The police will provide an updated statement in four weeks and your counsel will have to consider that evidence.”

He remanded the defendant, of Cradoc Grove, Ingleby Barwick, to remain in custody pending sentence, at Teesside Crown Court, on Thursday March 26.

But he told Turner the time he has spent on remand in custody prior to being sentenced would be deducted from his eventual sentence.