Leeds Festival dealers jailed despite 'inexcusable delay' in bringing case to court
Two dealers jailed after admitting dealing in Class A drugs at region’s flagship music event.
Two drug dealers who were caught at the Leeds Festival three years ago have been locked up, but criticism was aimed at the Crown for the delay in bringing the case to court.
Harry Neath and Jacob Whitaker were given custodial sentences, although the judge said the “inexcusable” time that had lapsed had worked in their favour in receiving a reduced sentence.
The 26-year-old pair appeared at Leeds Crown Court today where Whitaker admitted dealing in Class A, Class B and being in concerned in the supply of Class B drugs.
Neath admitted dealing in Class A drugs.
The court heard that a suspicious security worker attended a blue gazebo on August 26, 2023, set up in the camping area of the Bramham Park event.
When confronted, Whittaker handed over seven tablets of the psychoactive drug, 2C-B, worth £70, telling the security worker: “It’s all I’ve got love.”
Neath was nearby and he was also searched. He had four small bags of high-purity cocaine worth £160 , along with £305 in cash, which raised more suspicions because it is a cashless event.
Both were later interviewed and said the drugs were for personal use.
Their phones were analysed and it became clear that Whittaker had been involved in dealing “well before” the festival, prosecutor Ayman Khokhar said.
He discussed supplying ketamine, while later messages talked about how to smuggle drugs into the Leeds Festival.
Neath’s phone showed that he was advertising cocaine for sale at the festival.
Whittaker, of Dane Street, North Thurnscoe, Barnsley, has four previous convictions for seven offences and had spent time behind bars.
Neath, of Willow Road, Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, has no previous convictions.
Mitigating for Whittaker, Sam Roxborough said there had been “no good reason” for the delay and that they were only charged in January this year.
He said it was a “relatively modest amount” of drugs found, that Whittaker had taken drugs from the age of 17 and it had “come at a great cost to him”.
He added that he had taken steps to conquer his drug habit and added: “He has made positive steps to turn his life around.
“This is the best he has been in years.”
For Neath, Rebecca Randall also criticised the delay, calling it “unconscionable”.
She described Neath’s involvement as “frankly stupid” and added: “It was a stupid aberration for what had been until then as flawless life.
“It has continued to be a flawless life. It was a blip and something he will forever be ashamed of.”
She said he was a self-employed electrician and had just bought his first house with his partner.
She added: “This is something that will never happen again. It was a terrible mistake and to say these proceedings have been a salutary lesson is an understatement.”
Judge Alex Menary agreed the delays were “inexcusable”, describing it as a “run-of-the-mill” case.
He said it had worked in the defendants’ favour “to some extent” and said they had both moved on in their lives.
However, he said a custodial sentence was necessary, jailing them each for 28 months.
He told them: “It’s a tragedy on both of your behalfs.”