Police officers nab a drug dealer after gate crashing private party

SHARP-EYED police gate-crashed a party in St Paul's and nabbed a cannabis dealer.

Two plain-clothes officers were patrolling Picton Street for muggers when they saw two men briefly attend the private bash, Bristol Crown Court heard.

When police discovered the men had bought cannabis at the gathering, they invited themselves along and collared the supplier.

Lucas Alexander, 21, of Picton Street, pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis and possessing cannabis with intent to supply in March.

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Judge Michael Roach handed him an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

The judge told him: "You were sensible enough to plead guilty and I give you credit.

"You know that the courts will not tolerate people who deal in cannabis.

"It is inevitable people will receive a prison sentence if they do."

Alexander was ordered to be supervised for two years and carry out 120 hours of unpaid work. He was also told to do up to ten days' employment, training and education.

Drugs and drugs paraphernalia found were destroyed.

Mark Hollier, prosecuting, said plain-clothes officers were in the area looking for muggers after a spate of street robberies when they noticed two men aged in their 20s fleetingly attend a party.

The officers stopped them and the men both admitted they had both just bought small quantities of cannabis.

The court heard police attended the premises and found around six people present, including Alexander with a bag containing several thousand pounds.

Police also found he had 32g of cannabis, Mr Holier said, as well as small sealable bags, a "dealer's list" and a mobile phone containing text messages from people wanting drugs.

Timothy Rose, defending, said the party was not at his client's address and text messages on his phone were from friends.

He said money found belonged to someone else and was not the proceeds of crime.

Mr Rose said: "There is a very positive (pre-sentence) report. It has a good deal of sympathy for Mr Alexander. He is an intelligent and insightful young man who would be able to make a better contribution to society."

Mr Rose said his client had ambitions to make something of himself, and the judge encouraged him in that cause.

A separate hearing will confiscate proceeds of crime, if found to be appropriate.