Judge praises drug dealer caught with a kilo of cocaine on attempts to turn his life around while behind bars

A judge has praised a drug dealer for the way he was trying to turn his life around after being found with almost a kilo of cocaine and £35,000 in cash.

Leon Edmondson told Recorder John Jones KC he plans to help other prisoners who are struggling with addiction once he is released from jail.

In a personal letter to the judge, Edmondson wrote: “Mistakes can be made into opportunities, and I will take this opportunity to develop and prepare for my release.”

The 42-year-old was sent to prison for a total of four years and eight months by Recorder Jones after he pleaded guilty to three drug-related offences at Preston Crown Court

Barrister Gemma Keogh, prosecuting, told the court that police on patrol became suspicious when a grey Audi was spotted in an area of Nelson which was known for drug sales.

When pulled up Edmondson immediately admitted he had cocaine in the vehicle.

Officers searched the car and found a package which was later found to contain almost a kilo of the Class A drug.

After he was taken into custody a search of his home near Burnley recovered £35,000 in cash from an upstairs wardrobe.

When interviewed he made a full and frank admission that the drugs and cash were his.

“In fact it went beyond that,” said Ms Keogh. He opened up to officers how his drug trading had begun. He said he had decided to make some extra money earlier in the year and had contacted someone overseas to initially buy cannabis.

“He then decided to progress in his venture,” she said. “This was his first delivery of cocaine and he was going to sell it.”

The prosecution said he had played a significant role in the supply of the drugs and the starting point for possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply was eight years in prison.

Defence barrister Ged Doran, representing Edmondson of Dall Street, Burnley, said his client had been working hard while in prison on remand to turn away from offending.

“The work he has done to address his offending while in custody is an important feature and not one which we often see. He has secured a place on a training and rehabilitation course at HMP Lancaster Farms due to begin in November.

“He is exploring the possibility of working on his release with those who struggle with addiction. The scales have fallen from his eyes while on remand.

“He has seen the real impact that the drugs trade has had on the community and on his local community. He should be commended for the good work he has done.”

Recorder Jones said possessing cocaine with intent to supply had been the most serious offence. Being concerned with the supply of Class B cannabis and possession of criminal property (the £35,000 from drug sales) were both offences which could be sentenced concurrently.

He told Edmondson: “Your decision to go into the supply and trade of drugs was one that you (concluded) to be almost a business decision.

“Many defendants find themselves involved by debt, pressure or otherwise. You did it deliberately and thankfully it has been thwarted by the police.

“It is very clear that you have not only seen the error of your ways, but you have acted in a very remorseful way. I pay tribute to what you have done. It’s not often that people undertake such steps. I hope this trust is not abused.”

He reduced the eight-year starting point to take everything into account and, with one-third off for an early guilty plea, the total sentence came to four years and eight months.

The drugs were ordered to be destroyed and the cash proceeds were confiscated.