Carlton Brown, 51, had been out on licence since October, when officers found two wraps of cocaine in a car he was driving.
Carlton Brown, 51, had been out on licence since October, when officers found two wraps of cocaine in a car he was driving.
Brown, who lives at the Stoneham Housing Association in Queens Road, Watford, was pulled over by police in London Road, St Albans, on Tuesday, March 24. After a search of the vehicle, police found just over two grams of the class A drug. Brown admitted it was his and pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, at St Albans Magistrates Court on Friday. Brown told probation about his arrest and, despite the offence, has not been recalled to serve the remainder of his sentence. In mitigation the court was told Brown, who has a number of drug dealing convictions, had bought three wraps of cocaine out of boredom. After release from prison on previous occasions he has found work as a qualified bus driver, but “this time the work isn't there”. The court was told he lives on benefits in a room at the hostel and had started to “feel quite low” and "bored”. Although a drug dealer, he had never taken cocaine before, but bought three wraps just days before his arrest. He took one, but did not like it and planned to dispose of the other two, which he left in the passenger's side of the car, his defence said. He was going through a difficult time, but was really “trying to do the right things” the magistrates were told.
The chairman of the bench said the guidelines recommended a medium level community order or fine for simple possession, which Brown has not been convicted of before. He was ordered to pay £252 in fines and costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was made on the drugs.
Brown, who lives at the Stoneham Housing Association in Queens Road, Watford, was pulled over by police in London Road, St Albans, on Tuesday, March 24. After a search of the vehicle, police found just over two grams of the class A drug. Brown admitted it was his and pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, at St Albans Magistrates Court on Friday. Brown told probation about his arrest and, despite the offence, has not been recalled to serve the remainder of his sentence. In mitigation the court was told Brown, who has a number of drug dealing convictions, had bought three wraps of cocaine out of boredom. After release from prison on previous occasions he has found work as a qualified bus driver, but “this time the work isn't there”. The court was told he lives on benefits in a room at the hostel and had started to “feel quite low” and "bored”. Although a drug dealer, he had never taken cocaine before, but bought three wraps just days before his arrest. He took one, but did not like it and planned to dispose of the other two, which he left in the passenger's side of the car, his defence said. He was going through a difficult time, but was really “trying to do the right things” the magistrates were told.
The chairman of the bench said the guidelines recommended a medium level community order or fine for simple possession, which Brown has not been convicted of before. He was ordered to pay £252 in fines and costs. A forfeiture and destruction order was made on the drugs.
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