When police turned up at teenager Tyaani Simpson's address he ran inside and locked the door. And when officers went in and checked the bathroom they spotted five wraps of crack cocaine floating in the toilet bowl.
A search which ensued uncovered cut up pieces of a SIM card and a 'burner' phone under a toilet brush, Bristol Crown Court heard. As well as that there was cannabis and just over £5,000 in cash.
Simpson, 19, who was at a property in Newfoundland Road at the time, pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply. He appeared for sentence at Bristol Crown Court today (November 8. 2022)
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Judge Mark Horton jailed him for two years and five months. He told Simpson: "You are still only 19. You pleaded guilty at the plea and trial hearing and the court is impressed by your references, all of which speak of another side of you - the man who isn't supplying drugs to people who are killing themselves.
"You show one face to the world. But you turn yourself in a different direction."
Under a Proceeds of Crime Act application the judge found Simpson benefitted through crime in the sum of £6,603.71. He found Simpson had an available £5,326.72 and confiscated that sum.
Neil Treharne, prosecuting, said alongside the wraps of crack cocaine police found Simpson with some 164g of cannabis, weighing scales and 'burner' phones. Messages recovered from the phones were indicative of drug dealing, the court was told.
Simpson initially denied possessing drugs with intent to supply. He claimed £2,000 found in a jacket was his savings and then made no comment to police questions.
Mark Worsley, defending, said people who made references for his client spoke well of him. Mr Worsley said: "He has stumbled but he hasn't fallen. On this occasion he could have a sentence suspended.
"There is a real prospect of rehabilitation. I ask the court to give him the benefit of the doubt."
Desmond Brown, a youth support worker, told the judge: "He is definitely not a lost cause. He is bright and most articulate.
"He does need further support to help him, to start a new life and move away from this. Without support it is hard for young people to get on the right track. I think he's stumbled."
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