Wolverhampton drug dealer goes free because of his illness
A 21-year-old Wolverhampton street dealer involved in a Black Country drugs racket has been spared an immediate jail term because of his ill health.
Stuart Whyman suffers from cystic fibrosis, needs regular treatment and has a restricted life expectancy.
Police found 14 wraps of cocaine in a safety deposit box in his bedroom. They also discovered a further amount of the drug with a street value of £22,000 plus £8,500 cash at the property next door where Nikki Walsh, 42, lived with her son son Kyle, 21, who was a friend of Whyman.
All three worked for her ex- partner Brendan Durnin, from Griffiths Drive, Ashmore Park, who ran the 28-month drug racket.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday that police raided Whyman's house in Shawbury Road, Park Village, on March 22.
Undercover officers had seen him selling drugs while the gang were under five days of surveillance, Mr Paul Spratt prosecuting, said.
Nikki Walsh braved a "direct and perceived threat to her life" to give evidence against Durnin, who is now serving 11 years behind bars after being convicted of conspiracy to supply drugs.
As a result, she had her prison sentence reduced to two-and-a-half years, while her son, a "prolific" street dealer, received four years.
Those jail terms were handed out at an earlier court hearing which Whyman was not fit enough to attend. He and the mother and son all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply drugs.
Mr Mukhtar Ubhi, for Whyman, told yesterday's hearing: "On a compassionate basis I ask the court not to impose an immediate sentence of imprisonment."
Judge Martin Walsh gave Whyman a two-year prison sentence suspended under supervision for two years, with a six-month night curfew.
By John Scott
