Doncaster drug dealer nabbed snoozing in car

A South Yorkshire heroin dealer who was found asleep at the wheel of his car by police has been spared an immediate prison sentence, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
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Stefan Cook was caught “red-handed” in the early hours of March 25, 2019, in a car with the lights on and the engine running, along with ten £10 deals of heroin.

Prosecutor Sue Evans said £81 in cash and a mobile phone containing messages "consistent with the defendant being a street dealer" were also recovered.

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Cook has 19 previous convictions for 24 offences, dating back to cultivating cannabis in 2008, which include violence and dishonesty.

Image of a spoon and needles found on a bench.Image of a spoon and needles found on a bench.
Image of a spoon and needles found on a bench.

Edward Moss, mitigating, said Cook pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, the dealing was “low level”, and there had been a 15 month delay in prosecuting him.

He said Cook had been instructed to shield during the Covid-19 pandemic because he is on immuno-suppresant drugs for long-term arthritis and would be at risk in prison.

Cook, 34, of Grove Place, Doncaster, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin.

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Judge Roger Thomas QC told him: “There aren’t many drug dealers I don’t send down to be frank.

“Class A drug dealers get sent down – it’s as simple as that because the damage they cause is massive.

“I know it, you know it, and those who deal drugs know it.”

But he suspended an 18 month sentence for two years because of the delays and Cook’s mitigation.

He also imposed a nine month drug treatment programme and 20 sessions of rehabilitation. Cook’s progress will be reviewed in August.

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