Taxi driver Anthony Patrick Davis from Brackenhall jailed for drugs offences 60-year-old was desperately short of money A taxi driver caught transporting drugs in his car has been jailed for 21 months.
Leeds Crown Court heard Anthony Patrick Davis was short of money before Christmas last year and would have received some cash for acting as a courier.
Louise Pryke, prosecuting, said police officers were in the Birkby area when they passed Davis who was returning to his taxi parked on the side of the road.
Because he looked shocked to see the officers they decided to go back to investigate but by the time they turned round he had driven off.
However, details of the vehicle were circulated and when it was spotted Davis and the vehicle were searched and a black pepper pot containing 48 individual drug wraps was found.
They were found to be 17 of heroin with a street value of £90 and 31 of crack cocaine worth around £390. He said he had been struggling for money for Christmas.
Simon Hustler, representing Davis, told the court he realised he had made a poor decision to act as a temporary courier for someone else when he was having financial difficulties.
He had consulted the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and discussed bankruptcy but there was a charge for doing that which he could not afford.
References showed he was a valued member of his community, that his actions were completely out of character and a jail sentence would impact greatly on his daughter.
Davis, 60, of Rordin Heights, Brackenhall, admitted possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Recorder Paul Miller told him there had to be an immediate jail term.
“It is clear from various testimonials you are highly regarded by many in your community but the inescapable fact is late last year you chose to involve yourself the carriage of Class A drugs for financial gain,” he said.
“You will realise the fact you were in financial difficulties at home is no excuse at all. I bear in mind your age and the likely impact of the loss of liberty on your family but there has to be a significant deterrent element.
“Addiction to class A drugs is the scourge of our time and a tragedy for thousands of mainly young people.”
source:
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yor ... is-9942777
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