Wolverhampton addict's drug dealing bid ends behind bars

Gary Margetts had over £1,300 worth of cocaine parcelled up into street deals when police caught up with him, a judge heard.

The 28-year-old fled from a VW taxi in which he was a passenger when it was stopped by officers in Stow Heath Lane, Eastfield, Wolverhampton, shortly after 6am on April 26, Wolverhampton Crown Court, heard.

Mr David Bennett, prosecuting, said: "He jumped out as the vehicle was signalled to stop and ran away carrying a plastic bag."

Officers chased him on foot while a colleague in a car got ahead of the fleeing suspect to block his escape as he headed for Willenhall Road, the court heard.

Margetts had £160 cash and 34 wraps of cocaine worth a total of £1320, continued Mr Bennett. The defendant was then violently sick as the result of a cocaine overdose and had to be kept in hospital until his heart rate slowed to a safe pace.

A search of the home of Margetts, who had recently completed a prison sentence for fraud, revealed some of the paraphernalia connected with drug dealing such as a set of scales, it was said.

Miss Sarah Hurd, defending, said: "He was acting alone and supplementing his £200-a-week habit by selling to friends. After leaving prison he isolated himself and went on a downward spiral. He had been involved in low level street dealing for two or three months but has now turned a corner in his life. He is back in the bosom of his family and is clean of drugs."

Margetts from Lapley Close, East Park pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent and was sent to prison for two years by Judge Martin Walsh who told him: "Abuse of Class A drugs destroys lives and blights communities. That is why those who deal in them must expect immediate custodial sentences."