Teenagers used Wolverhampton bandstand to hide drugs

Jake Smith, aged 19, and a co-defendant, 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were seen dealing drugs by a park ranger.

They were today in custody after more than 30 bags of crack cocaine were found in a hollowed out compartment in a bandstand in East Park, Wolverhampton, on August 18.

After reports of people acting suspiciously police found a hole hidden by a brick containing drugs with an estimated street value of £320. Smith, of Stow Heath Lane, Wolverhampton, and his co-defendant had £670.

Miss Helena Miller, prosecuting, said: "The defendants were arrested and Jake Smith told officers the money was for a car he was saving up for. In an interview with police he said he was anti-drugs."

Smith, a father of one, and his co-defendant gave an indicated plea of guilty to possession with intent of supplying Class A.

Their defence was that the drugs and cash were to be returned to another dealer they were employed by to sell the substances.

Mr Christopher O'Gorman, defending Smith, said: "Mr Smith is aware he won't be leaving this building through the same door he entered.

"This was a crime that was committed in broad day light and with the intention of supplying customers from the bandstand.

"There was a risk of being seen by anyone passing by. It wasn't a sophisticated operation."

Recorder Edward Coke sentenced Smith to 16 months jail and his co-defendant to 12 months in a young offenders institute. He ordered forfeiture of the cash and destruction of the drugs.

While sentencing the pair Recorder Coke said: "You committed this offence in the day time and with the use of a secret hiding place.

"All drugs cause misery – particularly crack cocaine. This substance is addictive and once addicted it takes a lot of cease taking the crack cocaine. It's for this reason this offence is serious and I am treating it as such."

He hoped that they understood selling drugs was not the way to raise cash.