A PAIR of heroin dealers were caught after police spotted one of them acting suspiciously while driving a BMW.

Jamie Stainsby and James Roberts were arrested after the car was abandoned in Darlington and a subsequent search of their homes recovered £11,000 worth of heroin stashed in a wardrobe and more than £1,000 in cash.

The Class A drugs were found in the home of Roberts and Stainsby’s DNA was recovered from the bag the drugs were stored in, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Nadim Bashir, prosecuting, said analysis of two mobile phones seized from Stainsby revealed hundreds of messages relating to drug dealing including ‘adverts’ letting everyone know that he was back selling product.

He said Stainsby had bought a BMW the day before his arrest on December 27, 2019, and officers believed it was stolen so attempted to pull it over.

The Northern Echo: Jamie Stainsby. Picture: DURHAM CONSTABULARYJamie Stainsby. Picture: DURHAM CONSTABULARY

Following a short pursuit, officers arrested Stainsby near the BMW which his had abandoned on Carnaby Street. Roberts was also arrested after he loitered at the scene.

Mr Bashir said the heroin recovered from Roberts’ home was ready for street dealing.

The court heard there was 800-pages of mobile phone evidence downloaded from Stainsby’s mobile phone which showed he had been involved in dealing heroin for several months and included a number of postings saying he was ‘back on’ to supply.

Stainsby, 23, of Redworth Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty to three charges of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply a Class B drug and possession of cannabis.

Roberts, 22, of Meadowsweet Lane, Darlington, pleaded guilty to supplying Class A drugs – heroin.

Andrew Stranex, representing Stainsby, said his client had turned his life around since he was arrested and charged more than two years ago when he was ‘off-the-rails’.

He said: “At the time of this offending, he really was in a bit of a mess. Unfortunately, he was not able to cope well with the difficulties he had in his private life.”

And Jonathan Walker, representing Roberts, said his client had been recalled on licence following his arrest in December 2019 before being remanded in custody on the drugs charge.

He urged the judge to take into consideration the time Roberts had spent in custody following his guilty plea in November 2020 and his wait for seven months until Stainsby pleaded guilty in July 2021.

Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Roberts to two-years in custody, suspended for 18 months to reflect his ‘time served’ in custody and the delay in his sentencing.

He said: “Anyone listening and wondering why you have been dealt with so leniently, it is because you have effectively served the majority of the sentence that you would receive.”

Roberts was also ordered to attend 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

Dealing with Stainsby, the judge jailed him for five years and two months.

He said: “Your telephone text traffic reveals substantial dealing, this is clearly not your first foray into it as there was text messages reintroducing yourself to sell Class A drugs.

“You are sourcing your heroin from Liverpool and you are supplying quantities costing hundreds of pounds.”

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