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A cannabis dealer who was spotted riding a stolen moped in Grimsby while not wearing a crash helmet quickly told police when he was caught: “I have got a bit of weed on me.”
Troy Toynbee had a large number of messages on his mobile phone advertising sales of cannabis and telling customers that they could buy supplies either on credit or through bank transfers, a court heard.
Toynbee, 28, of Scott Close, Grimsby, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and possessing amphetamine and Ecstasy on February 2, 2022 as well as handling a stolen moped. Natalie Dean, prosecuting, told Hull Crown Court that a 50cc Honda moped was stolen from Guildford Street, Grimsby, on January 31, 2022. It had been in a front yard when two males broke the lock and took it.
On February 2 of that year, police noticed a moped without a registration plate being ridden by two men, who were not wearing helmets. Police followed the moped to Tom Hammond Way, where it was ridden into a dead end.
There was a chase on foot and one of the riders – Toynbee – was detained. He had been the driver. “The second male wasn’t located,” said Miss Dean. There was no evidence that the men had originally stolen the moped, which was quite badly damaged when it was found.
Toynbee told police: “I have got a bit of weed on me.” He had five snap bags on him as well as a green herbal substance, traces of a white powder and some cash.
Toynbee’s home was searched and a tub of green herbal cannabis was found as well as five amphetamine tablets. A mobile phone had numerous messages advertising cannabis sales to many people, either on credit or using bank transfers.
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Toynbee made no comment to questions during police interview. He had convictions for 29 previous offences between 2011 and 2022, seven of them involving assaults, one of them for a sexual offence, nine for theft and another of possessing a blade.
Jane Rapin, mitigating, said that, after Toynbee was arrested, he contacted the probation service with a view to seeking help. He had found work at an oil refinery for the last three years and he had to remain drug-free to keep that employment.
Judge Mark Bury told Toynbee: “You have been in quite a bit of trouble in the past, all sorts of different offences, all or at least some of them because you have been taking drugs. You were riding this stolen moped within days of it being stolen.
“When you were chased and arrested, you were found to have drugs on you. You decided to get a grip on your life before it was too late. You managed to find employment. You are off drugs now.”
Toynbee was given a one-year suspended prison sentence and 10 days’ rehabilitation.
