Drug dealer spared jail after being caught by police in Norfolk

Dean Emmerson, 31, and Karl Driver 44, were both in a Mercedes car pulled over by officers in Middleton Road, Gorleston, after police had suspicions about it.

Norwich Crown Court heard the defendants were both detained for a drugs search following the stop on April 8 2021.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)John Morgans, prosecuting, said Emmerson to be found in possession of cash as well as a mobile phone which had on it a number of missed calls and texts.

The data showed he had been involved in the supply of cocaine over a "considerable period of time".

Driver, meanwhile, was found to be in possession of 0.6g of cannabis.

When he produced it from his pocket Mr Morgans said the defendant told police "Oh, I forgot about that."

Emmerson, of Rosedale Gardens, Belton, near Great Yarmouth appeared for sentence after admitting being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Driver, of Admiralty Road, Yarmouth, also appeared in court having admitted possession of cannabis.

Andrew Oliver, mitigating for Emmerson, said it was "significant" he was only now being sentenced for offences which were almost three years old.

He said Emmerson was entitled to credit for his plea and had started "abusing cocaine" after losing his job got in a position where his cocaine use overtook the money that was coming in.

Michael Clare, for Driver, said he was caught with a "minuscule amount of cannabis".

Recorder John Brooke-Smith said the vast majority of cases involving the supply of class A drugs resulted in custodial sentences but he recognised that this case had "weighed heavily" upon Emmerson for almost three years.

He imposed a two year prison sentence, suspended for two years with a requirement that he undertake up to 25 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR).

Driver was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £45 costs.