Music-making drug dealer finally locked up after four years selling crack and heroin

Fernandes was caught when a plain-clothes police officer spotted him selling drugs in broad daylight in Broad Street, Cannock, in August 2022.

Prosecuting, Omar Majid said: "Mr Fernandes was seen taking cash off a man in his left hand and handing him something with the other hand. The officer followed him to Hyde Court."

When police raided a flat in Hyde Court they found wraps of cocaine and heroin in a bag which had Fernandes' finger prints, electronic scales, cash and phones with messages about drug sales.

Mr Majid said police recovered an Avon bag with 25 wraps of crack cocaine and 24 wraps of heroin, the total value was £490.

"When officers attempted to arrest Mr Fernandes there was a significant struggle. He had to be pepper sprayed before agreeing to stop resisting arrest.

"When interviewed he said he was sofa surfing and in the bag was a gift and he did not know what was in it. However, his later pleas show this was untrue."

Fernandes, of Hyde Court, Cannock, has six convictions of 11 offences, including selling drugs in 2020, previously being given community order for conspiracy for selling drugs.

Mr Majid said: "[He has] six convictions for 11 offences, mostly violent and recently conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, that offence was committed in June 2020 but was sentenced in 2023. He and a group of friends had gone to Exeter, where they had no connection. He was searched by police because it was a hot day and he was wearing a big coat."

In mitigation, Fernandes was supported by his family who wrote a letter saying he had changed his lifestyle after a friend was murdered last week.

Defending, Jessica Kilbey said: "At the time he was homeless, and as part of keeping a roof over his head he had to sell the drugs which were in the flat. He did not make financial gain, he got a roof over his head and the drugs he was consuming at the time. My client has been working for the last six months as a cleaner. He also makes music, which he stresses is not drill music but happy bouncy music, and has performed three times."

Fernandes pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Judge Kristina Montgomery KC told Fernandes he deserved to be locked up for his criminality.

"Probation say you have criminal attitudes and had no interest in rehabilitation but I take the letter from your family at face value. You have been involved in drug dealing for several years. I am giving you credit for pleading guilty, so am sentencing you to three years for both counts, to run concurrently."