A drug dealer has been jailed after being caught red-handed selling heroin and crack cocaine near a children’s play area.
Mark Fuller’s arrest was caught on police body-worn camera footage after a member of the public reported his suspicious behaviour in Middlesbrough town centre last month.
When the 29-year-old was arrested he was in possession of crack cocaine worth £740, heroin worth £100 and £365 in cash, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Fuller was caught operating near the children’s play area at Ayresome Gardens on March 12.
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The court heard how a search of nearby property revealed that the defendant had access to weighing scales and plastic zip-lock bags.
Following his arrest, Fuller, of Shrewsbury Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply.
Victoria Lamballe, mitigating, said Fuller had turned to drug dealing to pay off his debts.
She said: “The defendant had accrued significant gambling debts; he attempted to meet them and that lead him into this.”
Recorder Anthony Kelbrick sentenced Fuller to 32 months for supplying Class A drugs.
He said: “You have previous convictions, albeit none for drug offence but I take little account of them. You were subject to a community order at the time of the offending and again it could aggravate your position but it doesn’t in these particular circumstances.”
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Speaking after the hearing, Sergeant John Sproson, from Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Mark Fuller has now been sentenced to 32 months, after he was arrested by officers responding to reports of drug dealing near to a play area on a busy Sunday with children playing nearby.
“When Mark Fuller was approached after walking past the alleyway and he was in possession of cash, heroin and cocaine.”
- Anyone with information regarding drugs activity in their local neighbourhood is asked to call police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously online here or by calling 0800 555 111.
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