A drug addict was discovered to be an amphetamine supplier when police raided his Warrington home about unrelated theft allegations.
Officers searched Leon Sherratt’s home and found multiple snap bags and amphetamine in various amounts, a court heard.
“There was a total of 135 grams of 8 – 9 % purity, in street deals and large amounts with a total value of £670,” said Chris Hopkins, prosecuting.
Sherratt’s DNA was found on the packages but when interviewed he made no comment and he was released under investigation for analysis of the DNA evidence and his telephone.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that the offence happened on December 12, 2023 but it was 11 months before the police approached the CPS about the matter.
Sherratt said he bought amphetamine in bulk as it was cheaper and when he struggled financially sold some to friends and family.
Sherratt, aged 40, of Whitecross Road, Bewsey and Whitecross, Warrington, has 27 previous convictions for 86 offences including theft, drugs, knife possession, burglary, fraud and threatening behaviour.
He received a two-year community order last July for drug offences and in September was jailed for breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). In February this year he was jailed for 20 weeks for theft, possessing amphetamine and breaching the CBO.
Eve Salter, defending, said that while on remand “he has taken steps to address his offending behaviour. He has stayed away from drugs in prison and has changed generally. He has sought help from the mental health team.”
She said that his mum and grandmother were present in court to support him. “They want to keep him on the straight and narrow.”
Judge Gary Woodhall told Sherratt, who pleaded guilty to possessing amphetamine with intent to supply, that he was still subject to the community order until July next year.
He said that the defendant had suffered from severe anxiety since he was 16 which he managed initially by using alcohol and then drugs.
The judge told Sherratt that unless his cycle of offending was broken he would continue to do so and reports showed there was a high risk of him re-offending.
A psychiatric report said he has a depressive illness impacted by his drug use and he has been recommended for talking therapy.
He told the defendant it was “tempting” to take the view that a custodial sentence could be suspended but he has a history of breaching court orders and the offence was serious in the context of his previous offending.
Imposing 21 weeks imprisonment Judge Woodhall pointed out that the community order will still continue.
