Sheffield drug dealer spared jail after he was 'exploited by criminal gang'

Sheffield Crown Court heard on June 8 how Spencer Ray, aged 27, of Berners Road, Arbourthorne, Sheffield, was found at his family home with £820 worth of cannabis after a police raid.

Laura Marshall, prosecuting, said: "It's the prosecution's case that the defendant was part of an organised crime group and was selling the cannabis on behalf of that gang."

She added police raided the property and a search was carried out and cannabis valued at £820, cash, a BB gun, cannabis grinders, plastic bags and a mobile phone were seized.

Ms Marshall added analysis of the phone found messages that were indicative of the defendant dealing cannabis.

Ray, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to street-dealing, possessing cannabis for personal use and to possessing criminal property after the raid in December, 2017.

Joy Merriam, defending, claimed Ray was selling drugs on behalf of an organised crime gang and his vulnerability had been exploited and he had been intimidated and coerced.

Judge Michael Slater told Ray: "Officers attended your home in Sheffield and they found enough drug-dealing paraphernalia including cannabis to the value of £820.

"There was also messaging on your mobile phone to suggest you had been involved in activity selling that drug.”

Ray was sentenced to 12 months of custody suspended for two years but Judge Slater warned if he commits any offences during this time he is likely to be sent to prison.