A Benwell drug dealer sold Spice to an undercover cop but avoided jail time after a court ruling. He received a community order instead.
Newcastle: A drug dealer got caught selling Spice to an undercover officer. This happened in the city center, and he managed to avoid jail time.
Last November, police raided several places in Newcastle. They arrested nine people for dealing drugs, mostly Spice. Five of them later admitted their roles in the drug trade.
As part of Operation Casper, undercover officers mingled with the homeless community. Their goal was to cut down on drug dealing in the area. One of those who pleaded guilty was John Burrows.
Burrows, 32, from Benwell, sold 530mg of Spice to an undercover officer last September. His case was delayed for a pre-sentence report.
In court, the prosecutor explained how the officer arranged to buy drugs. He was told to meet Burrows at Greggs in Hippy Green. They exchanged £10 for a bag of Spice.
Burrows mentioned he had plenty of drugs and suggested where to find more. The court learned he had a criminal record and struggled with mental health issues.
His lawyer said Burrows now has stable housing and is working on his drug problems. He’s getting treatment for schizophrenia and making positive changes.
The judge gave him a 12-month community order, a £100 fine, and a £114 victim surcharge. She warned him about the serious impact of his actions on the community.
