Five years for drug courier

A 23-year-old Oldham man was caught running drugs - while on bail awaiting his trial for a previous offence.

Michael Deacy of Cooperation Street, Failsworth was arrested in Grimsby in May 2013 with 60g of cocaine and heroin worth almost £5,000. Six months later he was arrested in Manchester carrying cocaine and heroin worth £1,400.

Deacy pleaded guilty to offences of possession with intent to supply in both cases.

Jailing him for four years and 11 months at Manchester Crown Court, Judge Peter Lakin told him: “You played a significant role as a trusted courier within a supply chain. You were motivated by money and went into this with your eyes wide open.”

Deacy was arrested in Grimsby after being followed by police. He threw something away then ran off, but was chased and caught. He was carrying three wraps of cocaine, two mobile phones and a debtors’ list. A search of nearby bushes revealed a bag containing 442 packs of heroin and cocaine and a smaller one containing 53 wraps - courier quantities, the court heard.

In December Deacy was seen in Manchester while on bail for the Grimsby offences. He again tried to run off but was caught with £900 worth of cocaine and £500 of heroin.

Mr Johnstone said his client had been a long-term user of cannabis which had brought him into contact with the wrong kind of people. He now recognised how stupid and naive he had been.