A man who was arrested near a boating lake with Class A and Class B drugs, retail drug bags and £400 in cash in his car was so candid about drug dealing it was described as “naive and depressing”. Nicholas Turner also had a knife when he was stopped by Devon and Cornwall Police officers on Trevemper Road in Newquay on December 16.
When they searched his vehicle they found cannabis, a Class B drug, as well as cocaine, a Class A drug. Cash and coins were also found and when Turner’s car was searched more thoroughly, a lock knife was also discovered.
A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court today (Thursday, January 16) heard how Turner, 44, from Tregundy Road in Perranporth, told officers at the scene that while he does sell drugs he wasn’t dealing on that day. About the knife found in his car, he also candidly told officers: “You found it. I had been looking for it.”
In further police interviews, he full admitted being a drug dealer but denied that the cash found in his car was from drug dealing saying instead that it was from his benefits for Christmas shopping and again said that he was not by the boating lake in Newquay to deal drugs that day.
His Honour Judge Simon Carr said Turner’s admission for selling drugs had been “as candid as it is depressing”.
Sign up to receive daily updates and breaking news alerts from CornwallLive straight to your inbox
Turner was later charged with one count of being concerned in the supply of Class A drug, one of possession of Class B with intent to supply, another of being concerned in the supply of Class B drug and a final count of possession of a knife. He pleaded guilty to all counts at the first opportunity when he appeared before the magistrates’ court.
In mitigation, Turner’s barrister told the court there had been a “naivety” in Turner’s admission. He said Turner had admitted becoming involved in the supply of illegal drugs as a way to make money and solve his personal financial problems.
His barrister said: “There was some naivety in his responses to the police and he has no real appreciation of the nature of what he was getting involved with. He has no relevant previous conviction. He is in a relationship with his partner who has a long term health condition. He lives with her and her son and there would be a profound negative impact on the family if he were to be sent to prison.”
Judge Carr said the most interesting feature of the pre-sentence report prepared ahead of the sentencing hearing was the “complete candour” as to how he got involved. He added: “You got into debts and you thought making money from drug dealing was the solution to your personal financial problems.
“You are a man of previously good character and have the responsibility for your partner who will find it challenging if you go away, but this was a deliberate supply of class A and Class B drugs which kill people.”
Turner was sentenced to two and a half years in prison of which he will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence.
⚠️ Want the latest Cornwall breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join CornwallLive on WhatsAppand we’ll send breaking news and top stories directly to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice⚠️