Drug dealer took over a vulnerable Leamington woman’s flat to use as a base for his County Lines drug dealing between Leamington and Coventry

He was caught in possession of drugs after officers spotted him acting suspiciously in Leamington
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A drug dealer took over a vulnerable Leamington woman’s flat to use as a base for his activities in the town after being put under pressure to pay off a debt.

Daine Dwyer (18) of Lordswood Road, Birmingham, was jailed for 28 months after pleading guilty at Warwick Crown Court to possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply it.

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Prosecutor Alex Kettle-Williams said that in December last year the police had information that a flat in Eagle Street, Leamington, was being used for a ‘county lines’ drug operation.

Daine Dwyer, of Lordswood Road, Birmingham, appeared at Warwick Crown Court yesterday (Monday April 19) where he was sentenced to 28 months in prison.Daine Dwyer, of Lordswood Road, Birmingham, appeared at Warwick Crown Court yesterday (Monday April 19) where he was sentenced to 28 months in prison.
Daine Dwyer, of Lordswood Road, Birmingham, appeared at Warwick Crown Court yesterday (Monday April 19) where he was sentenced to 28 months in prison.

They had been told that the occupant, a vulnerable woman who suffered from ill-health and was a drug addict, had had her home ‘cuckooed’ by out-of-town dealers.

When officers turned up they saw Dwyer going to and from an alleyway alongside the address – and when he returned again, an officer was waiting for him in the back garden.

Dwyer tried to make a run for it, throwing away a package as he fled, but was caught and arrested.

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The package contained 6.09 grams of crack cocaine, worth around £610 in street deals, and on him Dwyer had £230 in cash, scales with traces of crack on them, and two phones.

One of the phones, which he denied was his, had ‘bulk texts,’ sent to a large number of people offering drugs.

Miss Kettle-Williams added that Dwyer had seven previous convictions, but none for drug offences.

Michael Anning, defending, said Dwyer had expressed his remorse in a ‘very intelligent letter’ addressed to the judge.

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“A significant matter is his basis of plea, particularly that he was told should he not pay the money back, there would be consequences for him and his family.”

Mr Anning explained that Dwyer had borrowed money to pay for accommodation, and the person he borrowed it from then said he had to sell drugs for him.

“He felt he had little choice, because that man was a serious criminal, and he only dealt drugs on the day of his arrest, and not before.”

Jailing Dwyer, Judge Anthony Potter told him: “You don’t have any previous convictions for supplying drugs, but you have a pretty prolific record as a rather unsuccessful burglar.

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“In December last year, after you had served a period of detention, you found yourself in an operation dealing in class A drugs.

“I deal with this on the basis that this was not your operation, and that you borrowed money from someone who almost immediately put pressure on you.

“What that meant is that you found yourself quite some way from where you were living in Birmingham in Eagle Street in Leamington, in the flat of an older, vulnerable drug addict, set up with over £600 worth of drugs ready to deal in them.”

Following the sentencing, Det Con Paul Luke from Leamington CID said: “Illegal drugs bring misery to our communities, and we are determined to proactively target those who are involved in their supply.

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“We will continue to work with local residents, businesses, partner agencies and other organisations in the area to keep Warwickshire safe.

“If anyone has any information about the production or supply or drugs in their area, or witnesses any suspicious behaviour, please let us know and we will act on it.”