Sheffield drug dealer caught with cannabis by police

Sheffield Crown Court heard on June 29 how James Cooke, aged 26, of White Lane, Gleadless, Sheffield, was stopped in a car with another person and the drugs and cash were found after Cooke and the vehicle were searched.

Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, said the defendant was stopped in a car on Richmond Park Road, Sheffield, after police could smell cannabis coming from the vehicle.

Cooke pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis with intent to supply after the incident on February 18, last year.

Ms Hollis added that cannabis was found in tubs and bags with a grinder and the total value of the drugs was £1,155 and the cash recovered was £1,270.

Richard Barradell, defending, said the defendant was a cannabis-user and he had been trying to pay off a large debt.

Mr Barradell added Cooke is very sorry he got into this mess.

Judge Michael Slater told Cooke he had been impressed after a pre-sentence report revealed the defendant had been doing well and he had kept out of trouble for the last 16 months.

Judge Slater agreed to defer sentencing for six months until December 18 and told Cooke if he continued to stay out of trouble and co-operates with the probation service he would most likely receive a suspended prison sentence.

However, he warned: “If you do not comply you will go to prison and it may well be for a long period.”