Last chance for Rotherham drug dealers spared prison time

DRUG dealers who were “at the bottom of the criminal food chain” have been given “one last chance” by a judge.

Jamie Blackwell (26, pictured right), of Alma Road, Rotherham, and Danny Reagan (19, left), of Powell Street, Sheffield, were sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years, at Sheffield Crown Court for dealing heroin and crack cocaine.

The men were caught after police raided a bungalow in Rotherham where Blackwell was staying in February 2017.

Judge Peter Kelson warned the pair if they were before him again they would see the “harsh side” of him.

Blackwell was arrested at the scene and Reagan was caught after fleeing on foot.

Mr Neil Coxon prosecuting said: “Reagan was detained and was seen to throw a bag containing heroin and cocaine over a fence.

“These two defendants were low-level street dealers at the bottom of the criminal food chain.”

Reagan’s bag contained 17 wraps of heroin with an estimated street value of £155 and 20 wraps of cocaine worth around £200.

“When Reagan was arrested, he said: ‘They’re not my drugs. I’m holding them for somebody else’,” Mr Coxon said.

Officers searched the bungalow and found 0.12g of heroin, two sets of digital scales and cling film.

When they raided Reagan’s Sheffield home they discovered £1,000 in cash along with two scales and a carrier bag containing 300 individual “dealer bags”.

Reagan’s mobile phone, which was seized, was found to have made frequent calls and text messages to Blackwell’s mobile phone.

The court heard last Thursday that Blackwell’s phone had text messages from people asking for “1+1” which the prosecution said referred to cocaine and heroin.

Blackwell told police during his interview that “1+1” was the codename for painkillers ibuprofen and co-codamol.

Blackwell pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to three counts of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

Reagan admitted two counts of supplying a class A drug and possession of criminal property on the day his trial was due to begin in January.

Mr Geoff Fleming, mitigating for Blackwell, said: “He didn’t have the best start in life but he now has a settled address.

“If he was sent into custody his reaction may well be to give up.”

Judge Peter Kelson said: “You are both before me for serious drugs offences involving class A drugs — heroin and cocaine.

“Danny Reagan, you were 17 at the time of the offence and I can’t in my mind distinguish between the two of you, so in both your cases you will get a two-year jail term which will be suspended for two years.”

Judge Kelson said a psychiatric report had found that Blackwell was susceptible to subjugation — being brought under control — and Reagan had positive references from an employer and family members.

“You are both looking down the barrel of a long prison sentence but I’m giving you one chance,” said Judge Kelson.

“This is it — one last chance — then it’s all over.

“If you let me down, you will see me and you will see the harsh side of me.”

Blackwell and Reagan were ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.