A STREET dealer in cannabis and prescription-type drugs has been ordered to make a £3,272 crime proceeds payment.

Police found a quantity of cannabis and an extendable baton in the boot of Dean Niles’ Renault Clio car, when he was stopped on Cuthbert Avenue, Durham, at 12.20pm on April 18, 2019.

Durham Crown Court was told on examination the cannabis weighed 28 grams, with an estimated value in street sale terms of £280.

A subsequent search of his home address led to the recovery of a total of 1,185 pills of five different prescription-type class C drugs.

Police also found a dealer’s list recording previous sales of cannabis for values ranging from £20 to and £300.

A cannabis grinder, digital scales, a crow bar, a loaded cross bow and knuckleduster, as well as £700 in cash were also recovered.

In interview he claimed the drugs were for his own use, but, appearing at Durham Crown Court, on June 26, last year, Niles, of David Terrace, Bowburn, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

He also admitted having an offensive weapon, the baton, in public and five counts of simple possession of a class C drug.

Having read a probation background report and been told that Niles has remained out of trouble since 2016, Judge Ray Singh imposed a nine-month sentence, suspended for two years, with a three-month electrically-monitored home curfew.

Niles was also ordered to attend 20 probation-led rehabilitation activity days.

The judge told him: “It’s up to you whether you go to prison or not.

“If you break the curfew and commit any breach, I’ll lock you up for nine months, plus 20 days for the breach.

“You keep your promises and I’ll keep mine.”

Niles, now 30, returned to court for a crime proceeds application hearing yesterday.

Following discussion between Mr Baker, for the Crown, and Niles’ counsel Vic Laffey, it was agreed that he benefited from his activities by £61,984, but the available amount to recover from him is £3,272, including the sale value of a bike.

Judge Singh ordered that the settlement figure must be paid within three months or Niles will be at risk of up to three months in prison, in default.

But, the judge reminded him that if it comes to light he has assets of which the Crown are now unaware, a further confiscation order can be made in due course at the court.