Policeman's son jailed for dealing cocaine
The son of a former policeman has been jailed for 15 months after he admitted dealing drugs.
Sean Burnell sold cocaine to pay his own drug debts, Bristol Crown Court heard on Monday.
The court was told he was found with drugs in his car after police noticed him driving through a red traffic light and recognised him as a disqualified driver.
Burnell, 22, of Longs Drive, in Yate, pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
Imposing sentence Judge Michael Roach told him "You should know that when people plead guilty to this , even on your basis, they go to prison for upwards of three years and sometimes five years."
The judge ordered the destruction of the drugs found.
John Penny, prosecuting, said it was in the early hours of October last year when police spotted Burnell in Frampton Cotterell as he went through a red light and they tried to pull him over because they recognised he was banned from driving.
Mr Penny said that after a short chase Burnell was stopped , his car was searched, and a bag containing white powder was found in the rear passenger footwell along with scales in the glove box.
The court heard the powder weighted 49.64 grams, contained cocaine and the scales found were contaminated with the drug.
Mr Penny said it was estimated that one gram deals of the substance would have netted some £2,400 and mobile phones seized also revealed evidence Burnell had been supplying drugs.
The court heard Burnell admitted having an £80 a day cocaine habit and had started selling to pay drug debts, with very little profit left over.
Rupert Lowe, defending, said his client had been released from prison in April having served an 11 month term for previous driving matters.
He said that while in custody he had worked to tackle his drug taking and after being released had not gone back to his old life style.
He told the court "For the last eight weeks he has not used any drugs at all and his father has been monitoring him.
"His intention is to join a brick laying course.
"Custody has hit him very hard and he is essentially intelligent and resourceful and he never should have taken cocaine."
Burnell's father David, a police officer for four years between 1989 and 1992 , told the court it became clear to him his son was using and dealing drugs and he dealt with him in "no uncertain terms".
Mr Burnell senior said he had agreed to take over his son's outstanding drug debts and told the judge he believed his lad was now turning a corner and if he wasn't he would lose a lot of respect for him.
13 Comments
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by Steven, North Bristol
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 11:21AM
“Anon, Yate. He's a self-confessed smackhead and dealer. He's scum.”
by s, bristol
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 9:54AM
“anon-yate...dont see why your getting so wound up about what people say about your "friend" everyone is entitled to an opinion. Such lovely person im sure all COKE DEALERS ARE!!! I note you didnt put your name worried your parents might find out about the nice friends you have???”
by John, Gloucestershire
Tuesday, December 23 2008, 6:41AM
“Anon you don't need to know someone to know they are pond life. You are right I have done some bad things in my life but dealing Class A Drugs isn't something I have ever done as this takes a certain type of person (you see where this is leading?).
Yes he has pleaded guilty, but it sounds from the article that he is completely bang to rights anyway!
He may be your friend but don't defend the indefensible!”
by anon, yate
Monday, December 22 2008, 11:38PM
“To all of you, especially john and gerry, back off. You dont know him therefore stop being so over opinionated. Dont know why you all seem to think your so perfect, everyone makes mistakes, at least hes pleaded guilty and is serving his time for what hes done. He is most certainly not scum, he is a close friend of mine and a lovely person, you have no right to judge, none of you can honestly say you've never done anything wrong. And looking on his facebook is pathetic, so what hes tryin to have a sense of humour about the situation, he should enjoy his last few days rather than sit around moping, quoting what his friends have written is incredibly immature, have you ntohing better to do with you time? Back off all of you and stop being so judgemental.”
by John, Gloucestershire
Monday, December 22 2008, 10:37PM
“Good shout someone, I took a look at his Facebook and this guys status is:
"Sean cant believe he is guna be a butlins red coat 4 a year 0r 2 lmao c u all soon,love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx :)"
A few of this loser's friends have commented on this in shocking style, for some reason they all think its funny!
Heres one:
"haha he is gonna love it!! and will be reading these messages sooner than what he was probably expecting.....and will be home from butlins for the summer!! xx"
Lets hope he isn't back for the Summer and lets hope when he is back he gets targeted by the Police by being pulled over everytime he drives and searched everytime he leaves his house... scum!”
by gerry, bristol
Monday, December 22 2008, 9:15PM
“Well he wont have to worry inside, plenty of drugs available.”
by MendipMan, Wurzel Country
Monday, December 22 2008, 7:57PM
“Misleading and inaccurate headline, the sort of thing one would expect in a red-top rag, not in a provincial newspaper that apparently prides itself on being responsible.
The father is not a policeman, he is a former policeman, and what relevance the father's former or even current occupation is I fail to see.
I don't think we will see the day when the Post runs the headline, 'Journalist's son jailed for..........(any offence you like that carries a jail sentence).
The saying goes that the sins of the father should not be visited upon the son. The Post has found a neat twist to this.
I'd love to hear the editor's explanation for this headline.”
by GingerRog, Bristol
Monday, December 22 2008, 7:50PM
“BEP ~ this headline is misleading. It should read "EX-POLICEMAN'S ......"”
by someone, Bristol
Monday, December 22 2008, 6:13PM
“Take a look at the guys facebook page, he's not exactly worried about going inside and is just making a joke out of the matter...”
by Griff, Bristol
Monday, December 22 2008, 4:06PM
“Is this yet another entry in the press 'tenuous connection to the Police' competition? The father of this boy was a police officer for four years between 1989 and 1992, hardly a career 'cop'. I notice there's no mention of the jobs he's done for the rest of his working life.”