Leeds dad stabbed in leg and forced to sell drugs to pay off brother's debt
A Leeds dad has avoided jail after being forced into selling drugs to pay off his brother’s debts.
Cain Charles, 25, of Lea Farm Road, Hawksworth, was given a suspended sentence at Leeds Crown Court after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis and cocaine.
Prosecutor Michael Peters told the how police executed a search warrant at the defendants home in February 2022, where upon they discovered a drug dealing kit including weighing scales, plus 8.5 grams of cocaine and 260 grams of cannabis.
The 25-year-old has previous convictions but none for drug offences.
A probation report read to the court detailed how the defendant had endured a “turbulent upbringing,” which saw his older brother in and out of prison on drug dealing offences. After his brother’s most recent arrest, Charles was forced into taking over to pay off his sibling’s debts.
The court heard how he was previously assaulted and stabbed in the leg as a result of these debts, and deemed it “too dangerous” to go to the police. He since taken steps to “correct his lifestyle,” by moving away and cutting off contact with his brother.
Charles now works a steady job as a forklift driver on the night shift, and lives with his long-term partner. His defence counsel Mr Barden chose not to add anything on top of the probation report.
Before passing sentence, Judge Robin Mairs remarked on the “somewhat exceptional” circumstances of the case and that while many “claim to have been forced,” in this case there was “actual proof” to back this up.
Judge Mairs sentenced him to a total of 30 months in prison, suspended for 24 months, and 180 hours of unpaid work. He ordered that any money seized should be donated to St George’s Crypt and the drugs immediately destroyed.