A Leeds drug dealer who targeted rough sleepers and people begging in Leeds has been given a five-year ban from the city centre and a four-year imprisonment. Dylan Bleasby was linked to the street-level supply of crack cocaine and heroin which contributes to wider issues in the city centre, including robberies, thefts from shops and anti-social behaviour.
Bleasby, 21, of Elmete Way, Roundhay, was arrested by officers in Church Walk on September 2 this year following reports of suspected drug dealing in Penny Pocket Park. He was found in possession of 60 wraps and crack and heroin with £440.
He was on bail over the incident and arrested again in King Charles Street on September 6 following a number of reports he was dealing to the homeless community. Bleasby was found with £400 cash, cannabis and a ‘burner’ phone, which was downloaded and contained a number of drug-related text messages.
He pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin with intent to supply, two counts of possession of cannabis and possession of criminal property in relation the money. He was sentenced to four years imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court last week and made the subject of a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
The order bans him from entering the area bordered by and including Inner Ring Road, Willow Terrace, Calverley Street, Portland Street, Great George Street, Inner Ring Road, Westgate, East Parade, King Street, Wellington Street, New Station Street, Swinegate, The Calls, Call Lane, High Court, Kirkgate, St Peters Street and Eastgate, except to attend court, probation, solicitors, DWP or hospital for either personal medical treatment or visiting a relative who is an inpatient.
It also bans him from being in possession of drug paraphernalia, including any equipment, product or accessory that is intended or modified for making, using or concealing or selling drugs, within West Yorkshire.
He is also barred from possessing any medication not prescribed or intended for his use. He faces arrest and further imprisonment if he breaches the order.
Temporary Inspector Pat Kenning, who heads the City Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Drug dealers like Bleasby who target the street community directly contribute to the issues of crime and anti-social behaviour that can have a significant negative impact on people living, working and visiting the city centre.
“It also undermines the positive work that the Street Support Team does to engage with and support vulnerable people in the street community to help them access services and divert them away from street-based lifestyles.
“Bleasby’s imprisonment for these offences and the Criminal Behaviour Order made against him are effective measures to tackle his behaviour, and we hope it will send a very clear message to others that we will not tolerate this type of offending.
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