Dad stashed drugs under floorboards

A dad of four who stashed cocaine and drugs cash in a void under his floorboards has been caged for three years and five months.
Crown CourtCrown Court
Crown Court

William Turner, was arrested at his home on Norris Street, Preston, when police carried out a warrant at his address at 9.20am on November 16 last year.

Prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, Karen Brooks said the 30-year-old had played a significant role in drug dealing for financial gain.

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She added: “As police entered he was at the foot of the stairs.

“In one of the bedrooms police discovered cannabis, with a grinder and associated paraphernalia.

“Another officer noticed the carpet under the TV in the front room was ruffled and pulled it up.

“There was a cut out in the floorboards which formed a hatch.”

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The court was told officers found £3,500 cash along with cocaine powder with a street value of at least £1,550.

There was also further cannabis discovered, bringing the amount in the house to £2,700 worth.

At first Turner made no comment in a police interview, but later claimed the cash was a Christmas present, before admitting using the void to store drugs.

He pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply, growing cannabis and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

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He has 11 offences on his record, including dealing class A drugs, for which he previously received 20 months in prison.

Defending, Kim Obrusik said Turner had a difficult upbringing and mental health issues that had not been diagnosed until recently.

She added: “He detoxed the last time he was in prison.

“However his relationship with the mother of his children began to break down in 2016 and he relapsed.

“It exacerbated the breakdown of the relationship.”

Judeg Andrew Woolman said the fact he had a previous similar offence aggravated his case and jailed him for three years five months.

Turner fought back tears and shouted to his family as he was taken down from the dock by a guard.