Teen dealer tried to hide drugs during struggle with cops in Sheffield

Jake Proverbs was hanging around with two other men and tried to cover his face when police drove past him on July 5, last year, said prosecutor Stephanie Hollis.

The trio ran off but Proverbs was chased and caught, dropping two mobile phones and house keys over a fence.

"There was a struggle with the defendant," she said. "He had a small cling-film wrapped package which he threw across the road.

"A small group had gathered and Proverbs shouted at one of them to pick the package up. But he declined."

PAVO spray was needed to subdue him, Ms Hollis told Sheffield Crown Court, on Wednesday.

The package contained 38 wraps of 69 per cent purity crack cocaine, worth £380, and 40 wraps of 54 per cent purity heroin, worth £400.

He was carrying £135 in cash and messages on the phones confirmed he was selling the drugs.

Peter Byrne, mitigating, said Proverbs, who has no previous conviction, entered an early guilty plea.

He said Proverbs, who has learning difficulties, was "vulnerable" and "immature," and had been the victim of "serious violence" when he was shot two years ago.

"It is almost 12 months since this offending and the defendant hasn't been convicted since then," Mr Byrne said. "He is at low risk of reconviction."

Proverbs, 19, of Wainwright Crescent, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine, on February 14.

Recorder Adrian Langdale QC described his actions as "beyond stupid," and said: "It's clear that you were involved in the sale on the streets of Class A drugs."

Proverbs received two years, suspended for 24 months, with 250 hours of unpaid work, 40 rehabilitation days and a six month curfew, from 7pm to 7am, that will be electronically monitored.

The judge told him: "Drug-dealing breeds utter misery, violence and death. You have come within an inch of going to prison. This is your one and only chance. Please take it."