Darley Dale drug dealer jailed

When police raided the home of Nathan Mather, in Lime Grove, Darley Dale, on October 28 last year, they seized cannabis, scales, three mobile phones and a small quantity of cash.

The 22–year–old pleaded guilty to four offences of supplying cocaine, M–cat, cannabis and ketamine, as well as one offence of possession with intent to supply.

Speaking in Derby Crown Court, Sarah Slater, prosecuting, said: “The police searched the defendant’s house on October 28th. They entered at about 10am with a warrant, they had information that he was involved with supplying drugs.”

The defendant took the officers straight to where the drugs were hidden in his home – six bags of cannabis in the kitchen and one bag in the bedroom. The total value of the drugs was £80.

The police studied the mobile phones upon seizing them.

Miss Slater continued: “There were a number of text messages relating to drugs supply, chasing debts and arranging meetings.”

She added that there were a number of different correspondences with a ‘Mike’ and a ‘Barry’.

Of the correspondence, two related to cocaine – a class A drug.

Miss Slater said: “Quite clearly he’s a street level dealer to users of all types of drugs, but mainly cannabis.”

David Webster, defending, said his client had cooperated with the police to an unusual level.

He said Mather has two children that he has no contact with due to concerns over his mental health because of his addiction to cannabis.

“He was first introduced to cannabis at the age of 12,” Mr Webster added.

“He then allowed himself to fall prey to M–cat and that was the catalyst that led to him dealing in drugs.

“He was never a primary dealer on his own account.”

He said there had been very little attempt to disguise the names of the drugs in the text messages.

Mr Webster said the defendant had sought help for his drug problem.

Judge Ebrahim Mooncey commented Mather had used the cash generated from dealing drugs to fund his own habit.

He said: “You have really come in at the deep end.”

Judge Mooncey added that while he was willing to be lenient towards the defendant, he had no option but to give him a custodial sentence.

Mather was sent to prison for a total of two years. The drugs and cash were forfeited and the defendant was ordered to pay a £100 surcharge.