Stokie heroin dealer Simon Roper escaped prison after a court heard he sold Class A drugs to fund his practice. The 45-year-old, who has an 81 criminal record in 175 offenses, was involved in supplying heroin between June 1, 2020 and his July 30, 2020 period.
However, his business came to an end when he was arrested by the police. They searched his Northwood apartment and found eleven packets of heroin worth £110 and one packet of crack his cocaine.
Now, Roper, who has not committed any crimes since his arrest almost three years ago, has been sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months, by the Stoke-on-Trent Criminal Court.
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Prosecutor Neil Ahuja said police went to Roper’s apartment on Litchfield Street in Northwood on July 30, 2020 and suspected the resident of supplying heroin.
Mr Ahuja said:
“Roper answered the door. Police searched the flat and found 12 foil wraps. A total of 1.21 grams of heroin, 11 10-pound wraps worth £110, and one foil wrap of crack cocaine. There was, and Roper admitted it was his.
“He said he started using heroin after his last methadone script seven or eight weeks ago. He decided to sell heroin to prevent him from committing a crime he committed in the past.
“He said his habit is about a gram a day. He earns enough to get free heroin for himself. He lives in Hanley town center. I was selling to people on and around me and doing up to 20 transactions a day in the last two weeks.”
Roper, of Taylor Street, Goldenhill, pleaded guilty to involvement in the distribution of Class A drugs. Possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply; and Possession of Class A drugs.
Jason Holt said Roper had not committed any crimes since his arrest in July 2020. Holt said:
“He had a prescription. Covid didn’t help. It was very difficult to keep that prescription. He fell off the wagon. We chose to fund the continued use of heroin by selling small amounts.”
He said Roper is now back on medication and nearly died nine months ago with a drain in his lung.
“If you send him to jail today, that’s the easiest option for him. Everything is done for him. He knows the system, he knows what happens. It’s hard for him. is to stay on the outside and try to keep making progress.” He’s done it. He’s been showing that he can do it for nearly three years. You can confirm that
Judge David Fletcher said, “During June and July of 2020, you were involved in low-level drug trafficking. Over the past 25 years or so, drugs have been at the root of your criminal activity. it is clear.
“The delay of three years after the crime was committed gave you an opportunity to show what you are doing. No more criminal activity by you.”
“You are currently using blockers to deal with drug use.
As part of the suspended sentence, Roper must complete a requirement of 30 days of rehabilitation activities and a six-month electronically monitored curfew from 7pm to 7am. . A judge ordered the confiscation and destruction of the drugs.
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