A man caught in possession of a large amount of cocaine when police pulled him over on a village road is among offenders jailed at Durham Crown Court in recent cases.
Joseph Fagan received a 32-month prison sentence after admitting possessing a class A drug with intent to supply, last month.
He was signalled to pull over while at the wheel of a Volkswagen Caddy Van in Wheatley Hill, County Durham, at 2.50pm on Thursday October 6.
The court heard he tried to run off but was apprehended by officers.
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Police searching the car found three packets of cocaine in the footwell.
On examination it was found to have a sale value of several thousands of pounds.
The 26-year-old defendant, of Bourne Lea, Shiney Row, who is now serving his sentence at HMP Northumberland, appeared via video link from the prison to the court for a short hearing on Friday (March 10).
It was agreed that 67 days should come off his sentence for time he spent on an electronically-monitored tag while on conditional bail after his arrest, prior to being sentenced.
In a separate case, illegal immigrant Rei Roci, an Albanian national, was jailed for 15-months after being caught tending a cannabis farm at a property in Renvyle Avenue, Stockton, on February 8 this year
Police recovered 175 plants from several different rooms which were fitted with lighting, heating and ventilation equipment.
A police drugs examiner estimated plants, with a good yield, had the potential to make between £49,000 and £147,000 in street sales.
Roci, who was found hiding behind a bedroom drawer, was in possession of a wallet, phone, £183 in cash and an Oyster card.
He made no comment in interview, but the 22-year-old defendant, who has committed no previous offences in this country, admitted producing a class B drug at a hearing on Thursday (March 9).
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The court heard the defendant crossed the Channel to illegally enter the UK in September and was then recruited by those who trafficked him and taken to the house in Stockton to tend the cannabis crop to pay off his debt.
Jailing him, Judge James Adkin said the defendant will serve half of the sentence in prison before being deported from the UK.
Judge Adkin told another migrant, who was seen menacingly carrying a kitchen knife in public, he may also face deportation after receiving a 16-month prison sentence at the court, also on Thursday (March 9).
The court heard Angolan-born Joao Pinto, 42, of no fixed abode, but formerly of St Cuthbert’s Court, Gateshead, told a passer-by to: “Get on the floor”, as he was walking down Windmill Way in the town, at 5.15pm on December 15.
The intended victim was unsure what was happening and kept walking down the road.
Pinto, who at no time pointed the knife in the man’s direction, was later tasered and arrested at a nearby block of flats.
He was returned to prison to serve the unserved part of a five-year sentence for his part in the knifepoint robbery of a taxi driver, in 2019, from which he is not due to be released until June, 2024.
Pinto admitted possession of a bladed article and, on receiving the latest prison sentence was told by Judge Adkin that he should complete this sentence before the expiry of the robbery sentence for which he was recalled to prison.
Bradley Fayers, 25, of no fixed abode, but formerly of Middlesbrough, was jailed for a total of 41 months, at the court, also on Thursday (March 9), after admitting affray, six counts of fraud and three of breaching a restraining order.
It arose over his actions in September and October, last year, following the break-up of a five-year relationship with a woman.
The court heard he visited her home in Marshall Avenue, Middlesbrough, in breach of a restraining order, imposed only in August last year, as well as using her bank card against her wishes, to make a series of transactions to help to fund his cocaine habit.
Fayers also dragged his ex-partner from a settee onto the floor, held a knife to her throat and caused damage in the kitchen of her home.
Read next:
Six people jailed in cases at Durham Crown Court this week
Cases of five people before court in Durham in recent days
Quartet jailed in separate cases at Durham Crown Court recently
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Gary Wood, for Fayers, told the court: “He has acknowledged his regret and remorse and admits he behaved shamefully.”
Mr Wood said the defendant’s offending was triggered, “by his inability to control his emotions, his addiction to substances and mental health issues.”
Imposing the total prison sentence of three-years and five-months, Judge Adkin also extended the one-year restraining order to make it, “indefinite”, effectively, for life.
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