A dealer was found with a machete and knife in his cupboard after police uncovered 'flare' messages on his phone.
Officers visited the home of David Morgan, 48, on The Knoll, Palacefields, Runcorn, to arrest him over an unrelated domestic violence matter on March 21 last year when they discovered his involvement in illicit substances. Simon Mintz, prosecuting at Chester Crown Court on Friday, said Morgan “struggled” during his arrest and ultimately produced a bag of “white and brown wraps”.
Officers also found some cannabis. The nine wraps were analysed and three were found to contain a total of 247mg of crack, and the six white wraps contained 800mg of heroin - totalling 1.047 grams of drugs.
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His mobile phone showed “flare messages” Morgan had sent out to other users that were “suggestive of street level dealing” and advertised three deals for £25, which Mr Mintz described as a “something of a discount”.
A flick knife and machete were also found in a cupboard in the flat.
Mr Mintz said Morgan received a short sentence in court the following day for the domestic violence matter.
In interview with Cheshire Police over the drugs, Morgan gave “no comment” answers, and later pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Mr Mintz said Morgan had 33 convictions for 66 offences, mainly for dishonesty, but also seven for simple possession of drugs, and dealing Class As in 2008 for which he received a “relatively short sentence”.
Recorder Anthony O’Donohoe approved orders to seize £18.05 found in the flat and destroy the weapons, drugs and phone.
Gareth Roberts, defending, said Morgan had been addicted to drugs but was now clean.
He said: “At the time he was arrested he was in the vice-like grip of Class A drug addiction.
“He’s ashamed of that.
“He’s remorseful for the way he was living his life.
“And that arrest brought to an end a particularly dark period in his life, which had gone on for some years.”
Mr Roberts said Morgan had “rid himself” of addiction and was working in Scotland as a fibre optic fitter, a job he hopes to return to after leaving prison.
He added his client admitted “allowing others to buy drugs in his flat, he accepts his phone was used as a flare”.
Mr Roberts said Morgan was “essentially covering his own costs” and his dealing “wasn’t a sophisticated operation”.
Summarising his mitigation, he pointed to the guilty pleas, the “genuine and heartfelt” remorse, and a “relative lack of convictions” for drug supply.
With reference to the sentencing guidelines, Recorder O’Donohoe jailed Morgan for two years and 10 months.
During his sentencing remarks he said: “I take into account your remorse.
“I take into account this offence was committed against the backdrop of drug addiction.
“You’ve made improvement in recent times, having a job in the fibre optics industry and you’ve taken steps to rid yourself of addiction.”
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