A Thornaby man caught drug-driving told police he was "going out partying" before officers discovered he was dealing ketamine. Charlie Parry, now 30, was stopped after speeding away from officers on April 8, 2023, and was found with three bags of cocaine in his silver Mercedes.
Police Stop and Discovery
When stopped, Parry told police: "I was going to go out partying tonight. It's personal use that, mate." However, the white powder was found to be 2.01 grams of cocaine. Officers also found a knife in the car boot and £90 in cash in the centre console, according to Elisha Marsay, prosecuting. Parry handed over a further £2,300 in cash before being searched at the police station.
Phone Reveals Ketamine Supply
Analysis of Parry's iPhone showed he was supplying ketamine. Ms Marsay said a "tick list" was found in the notes section, showing "customer debts of £40 to £140." Parry had sent messages reading "no tick, bro, just cash" and "half ball £100, full ball £180" between February and April 2023.
Parry pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a class B drug, possession of criminal property, and possession of a class A drug. He also admitted drug driving and received a fine at Teesside Magistrates' Court, along with a 12-month driving disqualification.
Court Hearing and Sentence
Nicci Horton, mitigating, said her client stated "he was not supplying cocaine but he was supplying ketamine." The bread knife in the boot, she said, was with other personal possessions "because he was kicked out of his mother's that day."
Judge Richard Clews told Parry: "You were off the rails four years ago and by a considerable distance. I've read your mother's letter. As she points out, in an eloquent way, you seem to have pulled yourself round. You've got yourself a decent job. She says you're a changed person. It seems to me that you are on your way to being rehabilitated."
Parry, of Fordy Grove in Thornaby, was handed a nine-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.
