A teenage drug dealer from Warrington was caught with expensive designer-label coats as well as more than £3000 cash and cocaine.
Police raided the home of Jayden Dooley after he was arrested at a probation office in relation to other matters and found to be in possession of a large amount of cash and a mobile phone.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that this prompted a search of his home which led to the discovery of 37 grams of high-purity cocaine with a potential street value of up to £4,700.
Officers also found small amounts of cannabis, £3,684 cash in various locations, said Carmel Wilde, prosecuting.
They found £200 of it in a pocket of a black Montirex coat and other items seized included a Canada Goose coat, an Alpyrex coat, snap bags and digital scales with white residue, she said.
When interviewed the next day, December 4 last year he made no comment, she added.
18-year-old Dooley, of Fairfield and Howley, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property, comprising the cash and coats.
Paul Treble, defending, said that Dooley, who had 11 previous convictions for 29 offences, including burglary and theft, had been officially identified as a “criminally exploited person.”
“He has been involved in serious criminality by others more criminally sophisticated who were taking advantage of him.”
He said that the teenager has cognitive and learning disabilities and had demonstrated a lack of judgement.
Mr Treble said that while on remand in prison, Dooley has had time to think and “realises his criminality brought the police to his home affecting his mother and young family members.”
He is determined to move away from former criminal associates on his release and stop using cannabis and has a job in the telephone industry waiting for him, added Mr Treble.
Imposing a three-year sentence of detention the judge, Recorder Graham Wells said that he was aware that Dooley has “experienced trauma and conditions in his life that should not have occurred to any young person and I bear that in mind.”
He said that while he is recognised by the national referral mechanism as a criminally exploited young person “on this occasion I think you were truly out to make what you could for yourself.”
The judge added that he took into consideration his immaturity and learning difficulties. He ordered that the seized clothing should be confiscated.
Dooley appeared for sentence via video link from prison and at the end of the hearing one of his female supporters in the public gallery shouted to him “love you Jayden.”
