DARLINGTON DEALER FOUND CARRYING £2,800 WORTH OF DRUGS
A man caught with a history of indecent image offenses was discovered to be involved in drug dealing after medics, while removing a man-bag from his chest following an e-bike accident, uncovered a stash of cash and cocaine.Jason Firmin was on bail at the time of his crash on Woodlands Road last October, which left him seriously injured.
He had previously been arrested for downloading over 150 indecent images.
When medics removed the man-bag from the 21-year-old and handed it to police in an attempt to identify him, officers found nearly £3,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine inside, the court was told.
Instead of being immediately arrested, Firmin was taken to hospital and subsequently disappeared when he was released.
He later voluntarily surrendered to police several months afterward.
Representing herself, Firmin’s lawyer, Elisha Marsay, explained that her client had just turned 18 at the time of his arrest and had admitted to all charges promptly.
She stated, “He was hospitalized for more than a week after suffering a brain injury, a ruptured spleen, a fractured skull, and multiple broken bones, which have had a significant impact on him.” Firmin, of Stocksmoor Close in Darlington, pleaded guilty to making 84 Category A indecent images of children, 62 Category B images, and 27 Category C images.
He also admitted to possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply, as well as possessing £618 in criminal property, following the incident in October of the previous year.
Judge Richard Bennett sentenced him to 26 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, noting that Firmin had already served time while awaiting trial.
