A Hengrove man who admitted dealing cocaine has been spared immediate custody. Bristol Crown Court heard Christopher Banks was a drug user himself who was supplying deals to people he knew.
The 42-year-old, of John Hall Close, pleaded guilty to possessing both cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply. The court he was said to have benefited to the tune of just under £10,000.
The recorder Mr Tom Brown handed him a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation and £425 costs. He told Banks: "I find your role was a significant role; the financial advantage you must have expected indicates more than limited financial advantage." Banks declined to comment as he left court.
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Lucy Taylor, prosecuting via video link, said police executed a drugs search warrant at Banks' home in November 2020. He came down from a bedroom and told them items they would find in a locked kitchen cupboard were "all his".
When police opened the cupboard they discovered 22g of 81 per cent pure cocaine with a street value of £1,760. A full search revealed cannabis deemed to be worth £5,220 as well as quantities of cash and a mobile phone containing messages associated with drug dealing.
The prosecution assessed Banks' benefit from crime was £9,205.92. An available £3,776.49 was confiscated from him under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Simran Kamal, defending, suggested her client had a lesser role in the enterprise. She said that, under sentencing guidelines, that would allow the judge to suspend any custodial term. Miss Kamal told the court her client was a family man who was in work.
She said he was relied on as a breadwinner and as a primary carer. Miss Kamal said: "He told the police where the stuff was. He has been open and honest throughout. He's ashamed of where he is now, he's almost glad he was caught."
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