Man jailed for three years after peddling cocaine and cannabis on Whitby area streets
A drug dealer has been locked up for peddling cocaine and cannabis in the Whitby area.
Jack Buckworth, 34, now of Robert Street, Ynysybwl, Pontypridd, was jailed for a total of three years and one month at York Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property (money made from drug dealing).
His co-defendant, a woman from Whitby, was given a suspended sentence when she appeared in court last year.
She previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, possession of criminal property and possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
Police say the pair’s drug dealing was uncovered after Buckworth was involved in a collision and officers examined a mobile phone that revealed multiple messages relating to drug dealing.
The investigation showed that the pair frequently worked together to deal drugs.
They have tried to use what they deemed a "work phone" to discuss any matters in relation to drugs, however they would frequently slip-up and discuss drugs in their personal phones, and personal matters on their "work" line.
Even when charged they continued to exchange messages in order to come up with a "story" to try to pass the blame for their criminality.
Despite claiming benefits, Buckworth’s bank accounts showed deposits amounting to over £15,000 over a six-month period, of which £10,838 were third party payments with the majority being made by his co-defendant.
These payments were almost immediately withdrawn once they were paid in, indicative of Buckworth handling cash.
Investigating officer, PC Rebecca Davison, of Scarborough And Ryedale Response Team, said: “Drug dealing causes misery in local communities and is a drain on society.
"It is fuelled by greed on the part of the dealers, vulnerability of the users or the belief that it is harmless fun.
"It absolutely is not.
"The true costs of drug use are significant and far reaching – from child exploitation and other criminality, to health and environmental.
"We will not tolerate it in North Yorkshire and the defendant is now facing the consequences of his actions.”
At the sentencing hearing, held at York Crown Court, Buckworth was also sentenced to nine months in prison for assaulting a woman in July 2024.
This sentence will run concurrent to his term for drug offences.
A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act is due to be held at a later date.