Stockton drug dealer caught with magic mushrooms and LSD

Mitchell Hackett was arrested almost two years ago when a search of his belongings revealed he was carrying magic mushrooms, LSD and cannabis.

The 21-year-old’s mobile phone was also seized and messages showed that he had been dealing drugs for several weeks in the Teesside area and also had a ‘tick-list’ of customers.

Nicci Horton, prosecuting, said police recovered eight bags containing magic mushrooms worth up £500, 16 tabs of LSD worth up to £160 and around £230 worth of cannabis.

She said analysis of Hackett’s phone showed he had been dealing between December 12, 2023, and January 12, 2024.

Hackett, of Hartburn Lane, Stockton, pleaded guilty to two charges of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, two charges of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Andrew Turton, mitigating, urged the judge to follow the recommendations in his client’s pre-sentence report.

Recorder Tony Hawks sentenced the defendant to 18 months in prison suspended for 18 months.

“You are only 21 and having read about you, there’s a lot of good in you,” he said. “However, two years ago you were caught dealing class A and B drugs.

“Up to that point you had no previous convictions but you do now. You have a number of serious convictions for drug offences – it’s nothing to be proud of.

“I have read that you initially took drugs to be part of the group you were with and one thing led to another.

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“If you didn’t know that taking drugs and selling drugs was serious, I suspect you do now. If you do it again, you will be going to prison for a number of years.”

Hackett was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The judge added: “If you stay out of trouble for the next 18 months, you won’t have to serve this sentence but if you commit an offence, particularly a drugs offence, you will be back here and you will go to prison.”