A drug dealer was warned by a judge he should thank his barrister as he avoided jail despite admitting to being part of a County Lines gang.
Christopher Lambert, 51, of Oak Drive, Runcorn, was the fourth member of the group to face sentence as he appeared via videolink from prison at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday. His three co-conspirators were jailed in November.
Martyn Walsh, prosecuting, said the case came about after officers first attended the home of Stuart Manson, 41, on Constables Close in Castlefields, Runcorn, on June 1 last year over an unrelated matter. Another man - Barry Kenny, 46, of Hedge Hey - was also at the property.
READ MORE: Gun shots fired as gang of thugs brawl in street near nursery
Mr Walsh said no drugs were seized but police found four phones, one of which contained messages that appeared to be drug-related such as referring to being “on”.
While officers were still there, William Ryan, 41 of no fixed abode, arrived at the property and was found in possession of six wraps of heroin that he said were for his own use, a pin-locked mobile phone and £30 in cash.
At Kenny’s home on Hedge Hey, officers found paraphernalia such as scales bearing traces of heroin and cocaine, as well as weapons including a machete and metal pole, plus two wraps of heroin.
Police found five separate “graft phones” had shared the same sim card used by the men.
Manson and Kenny were remanded in custody, and after Ryan’s release, a new graft phone continued to “send messages in the usual way” to arrange drug deals.
Police linked phone mast “cell site” traffic to Lambert’s home on Oak Drive off Thorn Road in Runcorn, and executed a warrant at the property on June 29 where they arrested Ryan and Lambert, and discovered heroin and crack, a tub of cash, a lock knife and plastic bags.
The drugs' total street value was estimated at £1,200-£1,600.
Lambert later pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, and two of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, all relating to heroin and crack cocaine.
Mr Walsh said Lambert had 15 previous convictions for 25 offences but none for Class A drug supply.
David Rose, defending, said Lambert’s pre-sentence report was “very complimentary” about him and “showed a positive side of his character”.
He added Lambert was “very respectful” to prison staff and hoped to obtain documents showing he was a “trusted prisoner” but was assaulted while in the cells before a previous hearing “in this building” and since then has had “some difficulties in the prison environment”. Another court hearing was missed due to him “withdrawing at the time”.
Recorder David Temkin KC sentenced Lambert to two years in prison, suspended for two years, plus 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 days on a rehabilitation activity requirement.
He said Lambert, who has been in custody on remand since his arrest last summer, owed his barrister a “debt of gratitude” for his representation throughout proceedings.
The judge said the case had previously been adjourned because of the “violence (Lambert) suffered on that day” and he was “unfit to be sentenced” at that time.
Recorder Temkin said the “Barry” county line team ran for about seven weeks in all, including for a month when Manson and Kenny were in custody.
The judge said Lambert’s previous convictions included robbery, dishonesty, a court order breach, violence including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault of an emergency worker, and possessing Class B cannabis.
Commenting on the “significant scale” of the drug enterprise, the judge said: “This consequently was a thriving, active and lucrative business.”
He said Lambert played a "lesser role", and had a “limited function under the direction of Ryan when Manson and Kenny had been arrested”, having acted under “pressure” and becoming “involved because you were exploited”.
Recorder Temkin added: “You were a drug user at the time.
“You are said to be remorseful, I accept that.
“Your vulnerability was exploited.”
Commenting on Lambert’s drug use and the violence he subsequently suffered, the judge said: “You began using drugs after the sad event in March last year, about which I say no more.
"It triggered memories of an unhappy time in your life.
"You were then pressured, I accept, into selling drugs.
"You’ve been assaulted by others in custody - I know you’ve been transferred from one institution to another."
He added: "You say you are intent on being free of drugs, you show considerable insight into your offending.
"You’ve engaged with the substance misuse team.
"You’ve made progress, you’ve reduced your methadone prescription."
The judge approved the forfeiture of £325.42 in cash seized during the investigation.
Following the sentencing of the three other drug dealers in November, Cheshire Police said officers were alerted to something amiss in Manson’s home on Constables Close when they found a glove containing several mobile phones "ringing continuously".
A force spokeswoman said the group sent hundreds of flare messages advertising drug sales daily.
The investigation was dubbed "Operation Toxic".
Ryan was imprisoned for three years and nine months, Manson to three years and seven months, and Kenny to three years.
The ECHO was still awaiting updated copyright permissions to publish the mugshots of Ryan, Manson and Kenny at time of writing.
Receive our weekly Runcorn and Widnes newsletter and breaking news email alerts by signing up here.
Man with fake name wanted by police
Luka Modric sends classy six-word message to Liverpool fans after Anfield ovation
Woman thrown to the ground after row with nightclub bouncer
Out-of-date meat left in dirty kitchen at Gino D'Acampo's Liverpool restaurant
