A DRUG dealer was caught by police when an officer saw his unaccompanied child wandering into traffic.
Keanan Allman-Harrold, 23, was found with 65.3g of cocaine and 73.35g of cannabis, worth more than £4,000, in Wimborne Road, Bournemouth, on March 3, 2021.
He pleaded guilty to possession cocaine with intent to supply and possessing cannabis with intent to supply and appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on June 17.
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Prosecuting, Brad Lawlor told the court the matters came to light when PC Hartley’s attention was drawn to a toddler who appeared to be unaccompanied, wandering into traffic.
Mr Lawler said: “He was concerned about the risk to child, stopped traffic and found the defendant who was the father of the child.
“The officer had concerns about the defendant, he had puffy eyes, speech was slurred and appeared nervous.”
The court heard father of four Allman-Harrold indicated he did have drugs in his bag. The officer also found deal bags, £355 and a grinder.
In interview, the defendant said the drugs were for personal use and he was holding them for another dealer.
Allman-Harold had one previous conviction of possession of class B drugs in June 2018, for which he was conditionally discharged.
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Mitigating, Rob Griffiths said the defendant had a lesser role in the dealing and his previous conviction was both spent and not relevant.
Mr Griffiths said Allman-Harold became involved at drugs at the age of 13 as a result of a “chaotic lifestyle”.
He also said the defendant would sometimes use cannabis to help him sleep.
Judge Robert Pawson, sentencing Allman-Harold to 20 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, said it was in the public interest if the defendant was given the chance to rehabilitate.
He said: “I have grave doubts at the suggestion you were holding the drugs for some other dealer.
“If you break the law by, for example, being in possession of cannabis, you will go to prison for 20 months.
“If you breach the sentence by committing any further offence you are likely to go straight to prison.
“I am giving you a chance, I’m not asking for your gratitude. It seems to me it is in the public interest if you have a chance to get back on an even keel.”
Allman-Harold was also made subject of a four month curfew between the hours 8pm and 6am and ordered to carry out 35 rehabilitation requirement days.
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