Drug dealer who drove around Northampton asking people if they wanted to buy cannabis avoids jail

Brandon Cooke, aged 19, was arrested by plain clothes officers saw him speed away in a Ford Mondeo that had been parked outside the basketball court in Semilong on June 29.

Northampton Crown Court heard the police officers followed the car to Grafton Street and Cooke then got out of the vehicle and attempted to run away.

However, he was quickly caught by an officer and was found to be carrying 29 cannabis deal bags.

Adrian Harris, prosecuting, said Cooke said to the officers “I admit I’m dealing weed. I’m sorry.”

Officers also found two mobile phones and £190 in cash.

Cooke told officers he had been driving around the town asking people he saw smoking if they wanted to buy some cannabis.

Cooke pleaded guilty to dealing a class B drug with intent when he appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on July 14.

Paul Nicholls, mitigating, said Cooke had been homeless as the time of the offences and was dealing drugs as a means of making money.

Mr Nicholls said: “He got in with the wrong crowd and behaved stupidly. He started dealing drugs. He had only been doing it for a short period as he had been given £400 worth of cannabis ‘on tick’ and was hoping to make £600.”

After hearing Cooke now had stable accommodation, Recorder Nigel Daly said he was “just persuaded” not to send him to prison.

He sentenced Cooke to right months in prison, suspended for 18 months. He must complete a 25-day rehabilitation order and 180 hours unpaid work.

Recorder Daly said: “I am giving you a chance today. If you do not take that chance. you will end up in prison.”