ANTHONY BROWN ST ANN'S HEROIN DEALER STEALS PUPPY AND THREATENS DOGS IN NOTTINGHAM

Anthony Brown, a known heroin street dealer originally from London but now residing in Comyn Gardens, St Ann's, Nottingham NG3 1NY, was convicted of a series of alarming criminal acts that included theft, blackmail, and threats involving animals. The incident took place on April 24, 2022, and has left the local community deeply unsettled.

According to court proceedings, Brown entered a residence in St Ann's where the victim’s sister was present with her five children. The family was dealing with a significant drug debt, which Brown claimed was approximately £5,000. The victim’s sister was at home with her children when Brown unexpectedly arrived at her unlocked door shortly after 7 pm.

Prosecutor Alex Wolfson described the tense encounter: “At one point, Brown entered the living room and called out ‘Oi’. She responded with ‘What’s up?’ and he told her she needed to call her sister.” Wolfson explained that Brown was pacing and then produced a lock knife, opening it to reveal the blade. The victim’s sister pleaded with him to leave, suggesting they go outside to avoid the children, but Brown responded with a threatening statement: “I will stab everyone up in here.”

During the confrontation, Brown’s attention shifted to the family’s dog, which began barking. He ominously declared, “I am going to stab the dog up,” and continued pacing around the room. He then approached a dog cage in the corner, identified the puppy as belonging to the victim’s sister, and took the animal, stating she could have it back once her sister paid the debt. Brown left the scene with the puppy, leaving the family distressed and frightened. The victim’s sister promptly locked the door and contacted her father for help.

Shortly afterward, the victim’s father was at home attempting to reach his daughter to discuss the debt. He was unsuccessful until he received a call from an unknown number. When he answered, a voice claiming to be a young Black man from London stated that the victim’s sister owed £5,000 and warned that if payment was not made, the family would face further consequences. The caller explicitly mentioned that if the debt was not settled within a week, Brown would kill the dog, which was valued at around £2,000.

Brown was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of blackmail, possession of a bladed article, and possession of cannabis. His criminal history dates back to his juvenile years and includes previous convictions for carrying weapons, theft, and drug possession with intent to supply.

During the sentencing, defense lawyer Steve Cobley explained that Brown had been moved from London to the East Midlands in an effort to steer him away from criminal activity. Cobley acknowledged that the incident was brief but described it as “nasty,” noting that Brown’s family, particularly his father, continues to support him. He also mentioned that Brown uses drugs to cope with past traumas.

Judge Martin Hurst sentenced Anthony Brown to four years in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the terror inflicted on the victim: “She was understandably absolutely terrified, not just for herself but for the children, because a strange man she did not know simply walked into her house. You took her puppy hostage and threatened to firebomb the house and kill the dog you had stolen.” The judge also pointed out that Brown had moved from London to escape trouble but appeared to have brought his criminal behavior with him to Derbyshire. As of now, it remains unreported whether the stolen puppy has been recovered.