Dealer caught with 3kg of cannabis at Leeds home claimed he was minding the drugs
A dealer who claimed he was simply “warehousing” drugs at his home has avoided being locked up.
David Todd was told by a judge that his story was “wholly unrealistic” and “untruthful”.
Todd admitted dealing in the Class B drug, but a trial of issue was heard this week at Leeds Crown Court after he claimed he was in debt so was forced to just stash the cannabis by other dealers.
The judge, Recorder Simon Jackson KC listened to his evidence in court and ruled that the 33-year-old was dealing.
He pointed to messages found on his phone in which customers asked if he was “active” - available to sell drugs. He also had a list of people who owed him money.
Recorder Jackson gave him a 19-month sentence, suspended for 24 months, with 25 rehabilitation days to complete, along with 250 hours of unpaid work.
He warned him that should he be caught again, he would face immediate custody.
The court heard that a Peugeot had been stopped in October 2024 in which the driver had bags of cannabis.
Todd’s fingerprints were also found on the bags.
They arrested Todd at his home on Cross Flatts Drive in Beeston and found kilogrammes of cannabis stashed around the property, including 2.5 kgs in a suitcase.
Todd claimed he had been addicted to cannabis for 15 - 20 years, smoking up to £90 of the drug daily and had built up a £2,000 debt.
He said he suffered from PTSD and depression and was unable to work, but picked up £1,500 a month in Personal Independence Pay (PIP) and Universal Credit.