Judge warns Sheffield drug-offender he faces jail if he fails to comply with community order

Sheffield Crown Court heard how 20-year-old Tareek Cooper, of Leverton Drive, Highfield, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to supply cannabis and ketamine.

Judge Sarah Wright told Cooper: “You seem to have been drifting with no real focus in your life.

“You could continue drifting towards a life of crime and prison or you can get a grip and do something worthwhile with your life.”

The court heard Cooper was found with drugs and he indicated he would have sold them to friends to fund his own drug habit.

But Judge Wright acknowledged Cooper has no previous convictions and he had only just turned 19-years-old when he committed these offences in November, 2018, and he has not committed any offences since.

She also recognised that Cooper has had an unsettled childhood and has suffered with the loss of his mother and grandmother.

Judge Wright added that she was also willing to reduce Cooper’s sentence to reflect that he had also pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and she could therefore step back from sending him to prison due to his lack of convictions.

Cooper was sentenced on July 15 to a 12-month community order with a 25-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Wright warned Cooper: “If you don’t comply with the order I impose you will go to prison.”