Reformed South Yorkshire drug-dealer is spared from jail after turning his life around
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 31 how Daniel Newton, aged 31, of Calder Crescent, Kendray, Barnsley, was reported to police on Wellington Street, in Barnsley town centre, after a pub licensee told officers the defendant had been ejected from a bar for drug-dealing.
Tom Heath, prosecuting, said when officers approached Newton he told them he had cocaine and £290 in cash and they recovered a mobile phone at the police station which had texts indicative of drug-dealing.
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Hide AdPolice recovered cocaine with an estimated street value of £120 and also found cocaine in a car with an estimated street value of £180 and Newton told police he had used a friend’s car and gone into Barnsley town centre.
Newton, who has one previous conviction, pleaded guilty to possessing the class A drug with intent to supply after the incident on October 21, 2018.
Joy Merriam, defending, said Newton had begun taking cocaine and had initially begun dealing to friends and associates because he had built-up a large debt.
However, she added he has been drug-free since the end of 2018 and has reconciled with his partner and they have children.
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Hide AdNewton’s father stated his son became involved with drugs after an operation had failed and he lost his job and got into debt but he has since found work and provides for his family.
Judge Michael Slater recognised that when Newton had been working as a lorry driver he developed a spinal abscess and became addicted to cocaine after losing his job and relationship and this spiralled into drug-dealing to fund his habit.
He told Newton: “You have turned around a situation that otherwise you could have given up on. It’s not in the interests of society to send you to prison and undo the good you have done over the last two-and-half years.”
Judge Slater sentenced Newton to two years of custody suspended for two years but warned any breaches would likely result in prison. Newton’s £290 of cash was also confiscated.