Delays in prosecuting a young wouldbe drugs dealer

Delays in prosecuting a young wouldbe drugs dealer saw
him walk free from court.

Despite being told he ‘richly deserved’ a gaol sentence,
22-year-old John Aziz was placed on probation and ordered to
complete community work.

Southwark Crown Court heard police raided his home in
July last year but the case only came to trial earlier this
month.

Placing Aziz on probation for two years and ordering he
complete 100 hours community service, Judge Geoffrey Rivlin, QC,
said the delay was no fault of the defendant’s.

‘You have stayed out of trouble during that time and it
is accepted you are not in anyway to blame for this delay,’ he said.

Aziz, of Alpha Grove, Isle of Dogs, East London, was found
guilty of possessing 247 grammes of cannabis resin with intent to
supply, and a further similar offence of possessing 16 grammes of
the drug.

He had denied the charges but admitted simple possession of
the drugs.

When police raided his home they found the larger amount of
cannabis in Aziz’s bedroom and the other quantity in the kitchen.

Officers also discovered scales alleged to have been used for
weighing out ‘deals’ to be sold by the defendant.

The court heard the drugs had a street value of up to
pnds stlng 1,200.

It was maintained Aziz would have paid (wholesale) between
pnds stlng 600 and 800 for his stock.

He claimed he had bought
them at a bargain price for his own use.

Judge Rivlin said: ‘You did not plead guilty but you were
convicted by the jury despite trying to brazen your way out of the
matter.

‘
He said he was satisfied that Aziz benefitted through drugs
trafficking but had no money to pay any confiscation order.

‘You richly deserve to be sent to prison,’ said the judge.

‘Indeed, if it had not been for the long delay in your prosecution
a custodial sentence would have been imposed.

‘
But he added the offences in all the circumstances could
merit a community sentence.

ends