Rhys Carter, a 35-year-old father, went to Argos on Ravenhead Retail Park in St Helens on June 7 last year to buy a wardrobe. While in the store, he suffered a seizure caused by ketamine use. An off-duty police officer and staff rushed to his aid, but when he removed his jacket, a large bundle of drugs fell out.
Drugs Found at Scene
The bundle contained 17g of cocaine at 'import quality,' worth up to £1,450, and 35 wraps of crack cocaine weighing 4.5g, with an estimated street value of £350. Carter also had £150 in cash. He initially claimed the jacket belonged to a friend and the drugs were not his, but his phone revealed messages from May 18 showing weeks of drug dealing to fund his own addiction.
Previous Convictions
Carter has prior convictions for possession of cannabis with intent to supply in 2012 and possession of class A drugs with intent to supply in 2016. He failed to attend court on June 4 this year and was at large for several days before police traced him.
Court Proceedings
At Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, Carter admitted possession of cocaine and crack cocaine with intent to supply and failing to surrender to bail. His defense lawyer, Louise Santamera, said he is the father of a one-year-old child and in a stable relationship. She stated: 'He is the father of a one-year-old child or she will be one next month. He is in a stable relationship with the mother. She has provided a letter of support which describes the defendant as being a brilliant dad.'
Santamera added that Carter's offending is linked to his entrenched addiction to drugs like ketamine, which has caused irreversible health damage including seizures, nerve damage, and bowel problems. She noted he has been drug-free since incarceration, gained weight, uses the gym, and obtained a CSCS card to work on railways.
Sentence
Recorder Richard Pratt KC sentenced Carter to 43 months in prison, stating: 'You were out shopping. There, unhappily, you suffered from a seizure. It was a particularly unhappy event for you because it led to the drugs in question being found on your person.' He accepted Carter's motivation was to finance his own addiction and noted his determination to change, but cited the seriousness of the offense and previous convictions.
