A man found in Carlisle in possession of almost 50 wraps of cocaine and a knife has been jailed for more than four-and-a-half years.
Lewis Parker-Smith, 21, of Courtney Road, Birkenhead, Merseyside admitted charges of:
- Possession with intent to supply cocaine
- Being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine
- Being concerned in the supply of heroin
- Two counts of threatening a person with a blade in a public place
The court heard how, shortly before 4pm on Friday 20 March, a member of the public began following Parker-Smith as he suspected he was carrying a knife.
This developed into a chase whilst another member of the public called the police.
Parker-Smith ran into Carlisle train station and began chasing the member of the public, whilst holding the knife in his hand, causing the man to fear he would be stabbed.
Another man then came to assist but he too was threatened with the knife, with Parker-Smith being described as making a stabbing motion with the weapon towards him.
Police then arrived and, whilst pointing a taser at Parker-Smith, demanded he drop the weapon. He did and he was detained.
Parker-Smith was found to be in possession of 49 wraps of a white powder subsequently proven to be crack cocaine.
He was also found to be in possession of a mobile phone which contained a large number of messages offering heroin and cocaine for sale.
Parker-Smith refused to answer questions in court but was charged with the offences, which he admitted at the first opportunity, at Carlisle Crown Court.
He was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on Friday (24 April) to four years and eight months in prison.
A spokesman for Cumbria Police’s Community Serious Organised Crime Unit in Cumberland said: “First we would like to thank the member of the public who followed Parker-Smith and ensured the police were called so that he could be arrested at the scene.
“Parker-Smith was found in possession of a significant amount of crack cocaine whilst further evidence showed he was also involved in dealing heroin.
“Our investigation was able to establish that this man – who had no connection to the Carlisle area - was running a County Lines drugs operation.
“Cumbria Police is working every day to disrupt serious and organised crime, as well investigating and arresting those involved.
“If you have information about someone dealing drugs in your community, contact the police today.”
You can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit. You can also phone on 101.
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.