A dad who fled Liverpool after being shot in a case of mistaken identity has now been jailed for his involvement in a drugs operation.
Barry Weadock, 37, and accomplice Ryan Miller, 22, were caught when police executed a drugs search warrant at the home of Weadock's girlfriend on Pickering View in Hull. He and Miller were both inside and others were also there, reports HullLive.
Miller was said to have "bounced from one disaster in his life to another disaster" but had been "bragging about how much money he was making", Hull Crown Court heard. Nigel Clive, prosecuting, said Weadock was in a bedroom and £3,000 cash and a telephone were found in a wardrobe.
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The court heard the phone had drug dealing messages on it and there were pictures of Weadock on some of them. When police searched the property, they also found keys to another property the 37-year-old controlled in St Barnabas Court.
This was also searched and drug equipment was found. Miller also handed over his phone and officers also found drug dealing messages on it and he confirmed that the mobile was his and his "bragging about how much money he was making".
The Pickering View kitchen was searched and heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine were found, mainly in a black "man bag" on the kitchen counter. Mr Clive said: "Drugs were also found in kitchen shelves."
There were also snap bags, scales and other mobile phones belonging to Weadock. The weight of the heroin tested was 49g, the crack cocaine was 19g and the cocaine was 9g.
Weadock had convictions for 18 previous offences, mainly for driving matters, but including a suspended sentence imposed in September 2020 for possessing cannabis with intent to supply in Liverpool. Miller had convictions for 71 previous offences, mainly for dishonesty and criminal damage but including a sentence of four years and four months in 2019 for robbery.
Brendan Carville, mitigating, said that it was not a County Lines drugs operation. Weadock originally lived in Liverpool but had lived in Hull for 17 years. He moved to the area to start afresh after being shot in the back in Liverpool during a case of mistaken identity.
Dad-of-two Weadock was also engaged to be married and at the time was about to "embark on a period of his life when he was free of drugs". The Barnabas Close premises had been provided to him by a church charity.
Rachel Scott, representing Miller, said that he had no previous convictions for drugs offences and this was out of character for him. She said: "He has bounced from one disaster in his life to another disaster."
Miller was using his time well while in custody on remand.
Miss Scott added: "He wants to get his sentence over and done with. He accepts that he was acting as a runner."
After the hearing, Detective Inspector Matt Grantham, of Humberside Police, said: "The drugs are believed to have been destined for several different parts of Hull. We know from experience how devastating the impact of these dangerous substances can be on our towns and cities.
"Tackling drug crimes within the Humberside force area is a priority for us as it has a big impact on local communities, with antisocial and disruptive behaviour often following drug use and dealing.
"Our dedicated teams work tirelessly to disturb and dismantle organised crime groups. We investigate all information that we receive, so please don’t worry if you don’t see immediate action.
"These investigations are often lengthy and complex and often the information we get from the public is used to build the bigger picture of evidence, enabling us to have the best possible chance of a positive outcome through the action we take when the time is right.
"If you have any information about crime in your area, please report it via our non-emergency 101 line or by speaking to local officers while they are out and about. Always call 999 in an emergency or if there is a crime ongoing.
"If you would prefer to report information anonymously you can do so via the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111."
Weadock, of Pickering View, and Miller, 22, of Delius Close, admitted possessing heroin, crack cocaine and cocaine with intent to supply on September 16. Weadock was jailed for four years and Miller was locked up for three years.
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