A crime proceeds confiscation settlement has yet to be reached in the case of convicted County Durham drug dealer, jailed earlier this year.

The judge imposing a 54-month prison sentence on Daniel Cheesemond, in April, accused him of, “trying every trick in the book” to minimise the extent of his activities.

Durham Crown Court heard that 30-year-old Cheesemond went out of his way to hinder police inquiries into his cocaine dealing and then to cover for the money made from his activities.

He came to police attention following a report of a domestic row in which he was accused of damaging his ex-partner’s car, in June 2020.

Read more: Spennymoor man jailed for 54-months for possessing cocaine with intent to supply

Police went to his home but Cheesemond refused to allow them access, claiming they would need a warrant, before coming out, locking the door behind and questioning their right to go inside.

He claimed they would only find, "a joint down the back of the sofa" and refused to provide the PIN number for his phone, which the police seized.

Officers eventually entered and found a quantity of a white substance in silver foil, digital weighing scales, unused snap bags and an iPhone.

He was taken to the police station and again refused to give the pass number for the phone.

Following his release on bail, but before police were able to examine the contents of the phone, he rang his provider to report it missing, leading to cancellation of his iTunes account.

It led to the blocking of the phone, thwarting police attempts to examine the messaging.

The court heard the white substance seized at the house was confirmed as 12.2g of cocaine, worth between £1,220 and £2,440 if sold in street deals.

Examination of the defendant’s bank accounts showed unexplained credits of up to £50,000, only about £15,000 of which he was later to admit came from drug sales.

Cheesemond, of Swan Walk, Spennymoor, admitted criminal damage to the car, but only admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply on the day of his scheduled trial, in January.

Lewis Kerr, in mitigation, told the later sentencing hearing his client’s downfall arose out of a, "spiralling drug addiction,” which led him to offset the costs of his habit by selling to other users.

Read more: Spennymoor man facing sentence for possessing cocaine with intent to supply

Crime proceeds proceedings were adjourned until today (Tuesday November 1), but the hearing, which the defendant observed via video link to Holme House Prison, was told the Crown and defence are yet to agree on a settlement figure.

Elizabeth Muir, for the Crown, said there were two valuations put forward for Cheesemond’s home, to which there was agreement.

Lewis Kerr, for the defendant, said the legitimacy of entries into Cheesemond’s bank account and the valuation of drugs seized are yet to be agreed.

Judge James Adkin, therefore, put back the date for a further hearing, until January 20, next year, by when he said he hoped all parties would be in agreement.

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               Vile Spennymoor man stamped on partner's head in front of the public

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