Neighbours jailed for drug dealing

TWO neighbours who ran a drug-dealing business from their terrace homes in Limeside, have been jailed.

John Clarke (43) has been sentenced to 21 months and Carl Broome (37) to 12 months.

Clarke’s partner, 20-year old Bethany Wardle, who was also involved in the enterprise, was given a 12-month community order and will have to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told that the drug dealing was discovered when police officers executed a search warrant at the two homes, next door to each other in Dowry Street, early in November, 2008.

Gareth Jones, prosecuting, said that in Broome’s home, a significant amount of amphetamines — said to have a street value of up to £4,086 —was found hidden under a bed.

Police also seized plastic bags containing traces of amphetamines, a box of glucose and dextrose powder used as a bulking agent, and a number of mobile phone SIM cards.

Experts found a number of incriminating text messages, including one that read: “Clarky wants you to bag up asap.”

Another read: “Carl, have you got any Billy for sale?” and another: “Carl. It’s Elaine. Let me know either way, if you’ve got any for sale.”

Mr Jones said there had been a locked safe inside the house, the key to which was later found next door at Mr Clarke’s address.

When it was opened, police found a number of items of stolen jewellery including a charm bracelet.

As well as the safe key, officers also recovered amphetamines and glucose powder worth almost £800 from Mr Clarke’s address, snap bags containing traces of amphetamines, and drugs paraphernalia including a mixing bowl, a sieve and a set of weighing scales.

Unemployed Clarke subsequently pleaded not guilty to possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply, possession of a Class C drug, and handling stolen goods, but was found guilty on all three counts after a trial.

Wardle was found guilty of the same offences.

Broome, said to be a drug user, had pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply and two charges of possession of Class C drug.

Sentencing them, Judge Jeffrey Lewis said it was clear that both men had been acting jointly, cutting and bagging amphetamines to sell.

“It was not being done on a huge scale, but neither was it a trifling affair, and you were in my judgement dealing in significant quantities to supply the retail trade” he said.

He said he had considered whether he could avoid sending both men immediately to prison, but took the view he could not.

The Judge said that mother-of-two Wardle, who has no previous convictions, appeared to have shown misguided loyalty to her partner, who, being 20 years older, undoubtedly exerted a great influence over her.