Blackburn dealer who sold drugs to children jailed

A dealer who sold drugs to children and started a sexual online chat with a girl has been jailed.

Justin Cooper, 34, pretended to be 16 years old when talking to the 14-year-old girl online.

The girl told her older sister she was falling in love with him and when she was located at Cooper’s house having gone missing, he was served with a child abduction notice.

When the girl’s sister became suspicious, she posed as a 15-year-old on social media and started talking to Cooper herself.

He invited her for drinks and sent her pictures of sex toys.

He also told her: “I’m a weed dealer, you wouldn’t believe the offers I get.”

Cooper, of Clayton Street, Blackburn, appeared for sentence at Burnley Crown Court alongside three co-defendants charged over drug conspiracy and supply.

The conspiracy to supply cannabis charge related also to David Watson, 58, of Mallard Place, Oswaldtwistle, who acted as a runner for Cooper.

Peter Wilson, prosecuting, said police attended Cooper’s address on August 21 last year due to concerns about him dealing to children.

A 14-year-old boy was found at the house under the influence of cannabis.

Police visited again on October 9 and Cooper was rearrested. During a search, 44.5g of cannabis was recovered with a street value of £510, along with £15,000 snap bags, phones, scales, and a notebook of contacts.

Analysis of the phones showed that flare messages would be sent out on Snapchat showing cannabis for sale, along with pictures, and Watson would then go on to supply the drugs.

On October 10, police attended the address of Paul Sayers, 55, of Dill Hall Lane, Church, and found a cannabis farm in the attic.

Almost 2kg of cannabis plants were recovered from the property. Analysis of Paul Sayers’ phone also found evidence of messages to his brother, Dale Sayers, 62, of Oswald Street, Accrington, who supplied the drugs on a small scale.

Roger Brown, mitigating for Cooper, laid out a number of courses he had completed in prison during his time on remand, which he said “show a determination to repair the damage he has done in the past.”

He also said Cooper had a “fairly appalling upbringing” and that he has a “low likelihood of reoffending.”

Rachel Woods, for Watson, said her client was performing a limited function under direction and had no influence on anybody above him in the chain.

Anna Chestnutt, for Dale Sayers, said her client had used cannabis medicinally for genuine purposes but has desisted in using it “due to learning his lesson.”

She said Sayers “wishes to return to a law-abiding and hard-working life.”

Eleanor Brambell, for Paul Sayers, said he immediately admitted to having the farm and that he was genuinely remorseful.

Recorder Michelle Brown, sentencing, said in respect of Cooper that he had an expectation of “significant financial advantage” and that he supplied to children who were “particularly vulnerable.”

He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison, and will be subject to sex offender notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.

Addressing Cooper, the judge said the custody threshold was crossed but his role was a lesser one.

His 12-month sentence was suspended for 18 months, and he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity days.

Recorder Brown said the custody threshold was not crossed in respect of Paul Sayers and Dale Sayers.

Paul Sayers was given an 18-month community order with 15 rehabilitation days, and Dale Sayers was given a 12-month community order with 15 rehabilitation days.

Lancashire Telegraph