Thornaby man jailed after £3k of cocaine and baton found

Billy Parker <i>(Image: Cleveland Police)</i>
Billy Parker (Image: Cleveland Police)
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Police caught a man wanted for recall to prison with about £3,000 worth of cocaine.

Billy Parker was also carrying an extendable baton, cannabis and £756 in cash.

The 26-year-old was found in a house on Vulcan Way, Thornaby, in August, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson said Parker hid cocaine down his trouser leg, while police found further deals on him worth £2,800 after his arrest.

She said: “The property was searched by police and it was clear that it was being used to weigh up and portion out drugs in the kitchen.

“Officers seized blades, tin foil, scales and a bag of white powder used to cut the cocaine.”

Parker, of no fixed address, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply, an offensive weapon, cannabis and criminal property after his arrest on August 28.

The court heard how three other people were in the house at the time of the police raid.

His lawyer, Nick Ayres, said Parker was not the ‘brains’ behind the Thornaby drug operation and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

He said: “He is a drug user who deals to other users for some financial gain.

“With that financial gain, he buys drugs to feed his own habit.”

Recorder Taryn Turner jailed Parker for three years and four months.

“You were detained and searched and you were found carrying cannabis, an extendable baton, cocaine and cash,” she said.

“You accepted that you were there cutting the cocaine into individual deals.”

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