Dealer who travelled as far as Inverness caught selling to addicts in Sheffield city centre
Reid’s father had been absent from birth and as an “easily influenced” younger man had travelled to Inverness under the “control” of others
A dealer whose trade took him as far afield as Inverness, Scotland, in the past was caught selling to the addicts in Sheffield city centre.
Malachi Reid, 31, was observed entering an alley near Peace Gardens with buyers on August 24, 2024 and detained by three police officers who uncovered eight wraps of crack worth £80, £26 in coins and £45 in bank notes.
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Days earlier he fled officers in town who suspected him of the same offence, prosecutor Rachel Webster told Sheffield Crown Court.
Reid had 12 previous convictions for 15 offences including three drug matters - one of which resulted in 15 months’ jail for selling heroin in Scotland.
Richard Adams, representing Reid, told Judge Jeremy Richardson KC that Reid’s father had been absent from birth and as an “easily influenced” younger man had travelled to Inverness under the “control” of others.
Mr Adams said the 2024 dealing was funding Reid’s own habit “rather than profiteering” and he had since turned his life around, getting a job in construction where he gained welding qualifications and converting to Islam.
However, jailing Reid for two-and-a-half years, Judge Richardson told him: “Anyone who sits in these courts and other courts in this country cannot help but notice much of the crime that we deal with involves addiction to drugs.
“It’s the cause of much harm, it’s the cause of much crime, particularly class A drugs. It’s a curse on society. It wrecks lives.
“The family life from which you come has not been ideal - there was no father figure and you were rather allowed to go your own way without boundaries and you got in with the wrong people and turned to drugs.
“There are positive aspects to your life but there are always consequences and there are consequences in respect of those who commit serious crimes. Peddling drugs is a serious crime.
“I have come to the conclusion that the appropriate punishment can only be immediate custody - there has to be an element of deterrence to make it clear to others doing as you do that prison results.”
As Reid was sentenced he blew a kiss to his mother in the public gallery, who, shouted: “You call this justice? He’s turned his life around.”
Reid, formerly of Crookesmoor Road, admitted possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession of criminal property.