Drugs arrest ended Chesterfield man's relationship with pregnant partner, court told

A Chesterfield man’s drugs arrest wrecked his relationship after police mistakenly thought the class c drug he was in possession of was crack cocaine, a court heard.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

David James McLellan was arrested in January last year with a quantity of GBL on him, Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court was told on Tuesday, February 4.

Following the arrest, in Lincoln Way, North Wingfield, the drug was tested and police said it was crack, although later testing proved this not to be the case.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

McLellan, 36, of Upper King Street, Brimington, had initially been charged with possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, the court was told, leading to the break-up of his relationship with his then-pregnant partner.

Chesterfield Magistrates Court where David McLellan appearedChesterfield Magistrates Court where David McLellan appeared
Chesterfield Magistrates Court where David McLellan appeared

This was later downgraded to possession of a class C drug, which McLellan admitted when he appeared before the court.

Mitigating, John Wilford said: “His partner, who was pregnant, left him and would not let him see his child. His employers at the time also got rid of him.. Water has gone under the bridge now, but they’re not going to be getting back together, although he will be able to see his child.”

District Judge Andrew Davison sentenced McLellan to a six-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Passing sentence, he said: “The lesson to be learned from this is don’t take this substance. You have suffered greatly, I accept that, but it was brought about by your own actions.”