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Forty-year-old Daniel Clarke pleaded admitted a total of three offences when he was brought before Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutor Diane Jackson gave details of his crimes.
“A package was intercepted by Royal Mail, addressed to Mr Clarke at his address in Brampton,” said Mrs Jackson. “The staff were suspicious that the package may contain drugs and called police.”
Officers visited the Royal Mail office and the package was opened.
“It contained far in excess of what would be expected of a prescription,” said Mrs Jackson. The contents were 2,000 tablets of diazepam — a class C controlled drug — and given an estimated value of between £1,000 and £2,000.
Police then searched the address Clarke, of St Martins Drive. Located behind a kitchen kick-board was a plastic container in which there was a quantity of zopiclone, another class C substance.
Officers also seized Clarke’s mobile phone, which was analysed. “There were messages from people asking (him) to source pregabalin (a further class C controlled drug,” said Mrs Jackson, “and responses from him saying he was getting packages in the post.”
There was an indication that Clarke was buying medication for £60 and selling it for more than double that amount.
“There were messages regarding supplying small scale dealers to prevent him having to deal with end users, whom he described as ‘riff raff’,” said the prosecutor. “Also messages suggesting he was planning to expand by trafficking (class B) cannabis.”
Dates of messages suggested that Clarke had been involved in illegal supply between October 12 last year and mid-January, a period of around three months.
In court he admitted possessing diazepam with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of pregabalin and simple possession of sleeping pill zopiclone.
As he was sentenced today (Friday), defence solicitor Adele Graham gave mitigation on his behalf.
“Mr Clarke acknowledges the seriousness of the charges and expresses genuine remorse for his actions,” said Miss Graham. “As a result of his mental health at the time, Mr Clarke was self-medicating with these named drugs. He recognises the full impact of his behaviour and has taken responsibility with his guilty pleas.”
Clarke had since undertaken counselling and sought to rebuild links with family members. Immediate custody, suggested Miss Graham, would hinder his progress and recovery.
District Judge John Temperley agreed, suspending an eight-month prison sentence for 18 months.
“You have already, between January of this year and now, demonstrated an ability to change,” concluded the judge.
“You have taken steps yourself to stop your own use of drugs, dealt with your own mental health issues and engaged with other agencies to assist with that.”
Clarke must also complete up to 15 days’ rehabilitation work with the probation service and also 150 hours’ community service.
