A teenager who was badly stabbed resorted to carrying a machete and dealing cocaine. Tobias Rhule had the large weapon in the waistband of his trousers when police attended an incident at the junction of Clarendon Street and Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, on August 30, 2022
After cycling away, Rhule was searched and cocaine was found in resealable bags, Nottingham Crown Court heard on Thursday (April 13). Cash amounting to £305.43, which has now been confiscated on the order of a judge, was seized from him and a mobile phone.
Rhule had messages on the phone which linked to drugs supply, such as "active all day". The value of the drugs, if sold in underweight 0.5 gram deals was £480 to £1,200.
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Aged 19, Rhule had no previous convictions or caution. He was previously stabbed in an unprovoked single attack in Nottingham city centre, which his solicitor-advocate, David Watts, told the court was "a random knifing" when someone tried to steal his bag. Rhule, of Lord Street, Sneinton, needed 36 stitches across his stomach.
His mum indicated in her letter to the court her son was "very close to death", and he spent weeks in hospital. "It cost him his football career," added Mr Watts, and led to depression.
Rhule self-medicated with drugs but he ran up a debt and was under pressure to deal. He was making nothing for himself - other than paying off his debt, said Mr Watts.
Rhule was given one chance by Judge Stuart Rafferty KC, who imposed two years in custody, suspended for two years, for possessing cocaine with intent to supply, which Rhule had admitted. For possessing the machete, which he had carried for his protection after he was stabbed, he was given nine months in custody concurrently, suspended for two years. He must complete 20 rehabilitation activity days.
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