Drug dealer jailed after being caught with knuckle duster

Cody Coleman will spend more than three and a half years behind bars after being convicted of a string of offences involving the supply of class A drugs in Northwich.

Cheshire Police are hoping his sentence will serve as a warning to other dealers in the area.

Detective Inspector Robert Balfour, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “I welcome the sentence handed to Coleman and I hope that his conviction sends out a warning to other dealers planning to target the Northwich area.

“Illegal drugs have a hugely detrimental impact, and we are committed to doing all we can to remove those involved in the supply of such drugs from our communities.

“Thankfully, because of the evidence we were able to gather against Coleman, we were able to prove his involvement beyond doubt, leaving him with no option but to plead guilty to the charges against him.”

On March 30 this year, 22-year-old Coleman was spotted by officers acting suspiciously in the Townfield area of Barnton.

He was subsequently arrested and found in possession of cocaine, a large quantity of cash, two phones, and a knuckle duster.

Following his arrest, a search of Coleman's home address was conducted which revealed a number of weapons along with drug paraphernalia.

Coleman was charged with possession of criminal property, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, and possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine).

He pleaded guilty to all three offences on September 5.

At Chester Crown Court on Monday (September 25), he was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison.

He has also been made to forfeit £530 under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 which will be used by Cheshire Police in the fight against crime.

Cheshire Police has urged anyone with any information in relation to supply of illegal drugs in their community to get in touch by calling 101 or visiting https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report.