Sheffield judge "unaware" of dealer's latest bust while on bail could have jailed him for longer
Hodson was released “exceptionally” early from that prison sentence due to his “excellent” conduct behind bars
A South Yorkshire drug peddler was caught dealing while on bail but prosecutors were not told - meaning he was not jailed for as long as he could have been.
Under UK legislation “third striker” Jack Hodson would have been jailed for a minimum “prescribed” term of seven years, had the judge who sentenced him in May 2025 known about the offence while on bail.
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However Judge Michael Slater in May last year had been “unaware” of Hodson’s offending the previous month and jailed him for three years for the two offences he knew about.
Hodson was released “exceptionally” early from that prison sentence due to his “excellent” conduct behind bars - but he was remanded back into jail in February this year after charges were brought for the third offence.
Judge Slater told him on Monday, July 20, that due to “exceptional circumstances” he was “quite satisfied” imposing the “prescribed” term for three-strike offenders would be “unjust” now.
He told Hodson, who had been in debt with suppliers after being caught the first time: “It’s clear before getting into this mess you had a strong work ethic and references speak of your strong commitment to family life.”
Hodson, 26, was caught with cannabis and cocaine which he was suspected of supplying in March 2024 and then again in January 2025.
Then on April 11 last year, while awaiting his May 2025 sentencing date for the earlier matters, he was pulled over again by police and caught with drugs in a blue Audi A3.
Speaking about the offence while on bail, prosecutor Sam Jones described how a scan of the Audi’s number plate had shown Hodson was uninsured.
Mr Jones said: “He seemed nervous, he was searched, as was his vehicle. Officers found two sealable bags of white powder. In custody a large quantity of sealable bags were found hidden down his shorts.
The street value of the drugs was around £500, the court heard. Hodson was also in possession of over £170 cash.
Lydia Carroll, defending Hodson, said: “The crux of his defence is that he had been released from his sentence exceptionally early and has not committed any further offences since.
“The offence he was about to be sentenced for took place before your honour sentenced him in May (2025) but he has since taken considerable steps to get clean and change his life - that’s as a result of now having a new child.
“It’s changed him for the better and he has faced up to what he has done.”
Judge Slater told Hodson: “You have served five months on remand and it would be unjust for you to receive a prescribed sentence.
“It would be a disproportionate sentence and it would render your rehabilitation efforts to nothing.
Hodson, of Swift Street, Barnsley, was jailed for three years suspended for three years.
He admitted possessing with intent to supply cocaine.