Middlesbrough man who stored drugs at home was threatened by dealers

A drugs custodian was threatened by dealers after a police raid on his home robbed them of their £4,800 cocaine stash, a court heard.

Cash-strapped Kevin Begley, 51, let his Middlesbrough home become a safehouse for a package of the Class A drug for £100.

He has been jailed for three years and nine months after he was caught with 97g of cocaine worth about £4,800 in his home in Saltersgill.

He was not in when police went to the Ainsdale Way property with a warrant under the Theft Act on July 20 last year.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs said officers found a small tent in a front bedroom containing four cannabis plants, with a bag of leaves.

They found a set of scales, a roll of plastic bags, a large white block and white powder in a bag.

A large amount of cash was found in a kitchen cupboard and a piece of cannabis resin on the kitchen table.

Begley said he was paid £100 to store the cocaine while the plants, said to have a street value of £450 to £900, were for his own use.

He admitted possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and possessing and producing cannabis.

Rachel Dyson, defending, said he got into financial difficulties as he made regular visits to his son who lived “some distance away”.

She told the court: “As a result of the financial pressures he was feeling when he was given this opportunity to mind a package in return for some money, he took up that opportunity.

“He accepted the offer of this money due to his financial constraints.

“His house was used to store this package. People would come and go. He would let people come and go. He certainly wasn’t involved any further in cutting or distribution.

“Since these matters came before the court, he has received threats and demands as a result of the fact that this commodity that did once belong to somebody has been seized by police.”

She added that said he was a cannabis user for many years, particularly after he developed a bad back problem, and his only previous drugs convictions related to that Class B drug.

Judge Peter Bowers told Begley: “You’re no stranger to the courts for your cannabis habit. This is a first time for a Class A drug.

“You provided your house as a safe refuge for this Class A drug, just for money.”

He jailed Begley for two years and nine months for the cocaine offence, plus a year for the cannabis offences.