Ellesmere Port man jailed for seven years for drugs offences

A man from Ellesmere Port has been jailed for over seven and a half years, after being spotted dealing cocaine behind a supermarket whilst awaiting sentencing for similar offences.

Lyndon Hodgkinson, 24, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 17 October, where he was jailed for seven years and nine months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine) and concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine)

It was heard during his hearing that on Friday 27 September, two officers from the Western Problem-Solving Team had spotted Hodgkinson outside of a supermarket near to Western Avenue, Blacon, along with several other individuals who were congregating outside of premises.

The officers witnessed Hodgkinson hand a known local drug user something and then leave the area.

Acting quickly, the officers approached Hodgkinson and attempted to detain him, however he became aggressive and actively resisted arrest - even questioning whether the officers were members of the police.

After being successfully detained, officers searched Hodgkinson and found three wraps of white powder in his jacket pocket - one of which was the size of a golf ball. As it recovered, Hodgkinson told officers “it’s flake", and he was subsequently arrested.

The 6.9kg worth powder was later tested and it was found to contain cocaine that was destined for onward supply - it was estimated to be worth between £300 and £950.

At the time of the incident, Hodgkinson was also awaiting sentencing for a separate incident of supplying class A drugs (cocaine) following an investigation by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

In custody, Hodgkinson stated that he was addicted to cocaine and had purchased the nearly seven grams found on his person to sustain him over a weekend and denied he was supplying drugs. Despite this, he was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty on Thursday 17 October.

Hodgkinson received a sentenced to five years and nine months for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine) and was ordered to serve a further two years consecutively for possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine).

Following sentencing, Police Constable Bryan, of the Western Problem-Solving Team, said:

"This is a great result that shows that our officers take a zero-tolerance stance on drug dealing on Cheshire's streets.

"We know that drug crime can play a part in many other types of criminality and anti-social behaviour, so if you have any information relating to drug-related behaviour or illegal activity in your area, we would strongly encourage you to get in touch with your local officers and we will take swift action to put an end to it."

Pictured - Lyndon Hodgkinson from Ellesmere Port.