Preston homeless volunteer narrowly avoids jail after admitting drugs charges

Ellis Stephen Martin, 24, of Dunkirk Lane, Leyland, was arrested after police discovered 200g cocaine, £540 cash, a set of scales, 500 snap bags, air rifles and knuckle dusters - though the weapons were accepted not to form part of the case.

Judge Andrew Jefferies QC suspended his two year prison sentence for two years after hearing he had no previous convictions, and did voluntary work with Preston's Yooof Zone - a charity set up by reformed criminal Stephen Mellor to divert young people away from gang culture.

However, he imposed 200 hours of unpaid work and a drug rehabilitation order and said: "Either you were willingly and happily storing that for someone to cut up and sell on the streets, or you were foolishly holding it for somebody.

" There were two ways I could have sentenced you today.

"I am giving you a chance you may not have got from other judges, so I hope I don't feel foolish at any point in the future.

"You have not only a good solid job that you have kept, but you volunteer in a number of areas, which show an insight into being involved in this sort of activity and highlighting the reason to stay well away from it."

Martin was arrested on New Year's Eve 2018 in Leyland, when officers attended his home on an unrelated matter.

Prosecuting, Peter Barr said officers found a five plant cannabis set up, which Martin said was for his own use, along with cannabis resin and 11 vials of concentrated cannabis amounting to 96g, with cocaine found in a tin.

Two mobile phones were analysed but showed no messages consistent with drug dealing.

Mr Barr added: " We are not able to say he's a street dealer. What we do suggest is he was a trusted associate or custodian of these drugs.

"He obviously knew the scale of the operation due to the amount of drugs."

Martin admits possession of cocaine with intent to supply, producing five cannabis plants, and three counts of possessing cannabis.

He was asked to give evidence at his sentencing and told the judge he felt he "had no choice" to store the drugs, that he was scared , and that he had kept the weapons after someone had passed away.