In a bizarre courtroom revelation, a Cambridge drug dealer attempted to blame his criminal possession on a pair of borrowed trousers, a defence that ultimately failed to prevent a substantial prison sentence.
The Cambridge Street Confrontation
Neil Brown's attempt to evade justice unravelled dramatically when he was stopped by police officers in Cambridge. Upon being informed he would be subjected to a search, Brown made the impulsive decision to run from law enforcement.
His escape attempt proved short-lived and spectacularly unsuccessful. During the pursuit, 98 individual wraps of cocaine began tumbling from his trouser leg onto the pavement, creating a trail of evidence that would seal his fate. The Class A drugs had an estimated street value of £1,960.
Weapons and Additional Charges
Police conducting a search of the immediate area made another concerning discovery close to where the drugs were recovered. A knife was found in a public place, adding a serious weapons charge to Brown's growing list of offences.
When formally charged, Brown faced multiple counts including:
- Possession with intent to supply heroin
- Possession with intent to supply crack cocaine
- Possession of cannabis
- Possession of a knife in a public place
Brown ultimately entered guilty pleas to all charges, foregoing a trial and accepting responsibility for his crimes.
Sentencing and Consequences
At sentencing, the court heard Brown's unusual explanation that he had been wearing someone else's trousers when the incident occurred. This claim did little to mitigate the seriousness of his offences.
The presiding judge handed down a sentence of three years and ten months in prison, reflecting the gravity of drug dealing and weapon possession in the community.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by police in combating class A drug distribution and knife crime in British cities. The substantial quantity of cocaine recovered suggests Brown was operating as a significant supplier in the Cambridge area.
Cambridgeshire Police have welcomed the sentencing, noting that removing both the drugs and the weapon from circulation makes the community safer. The force continues to encourage public reporting of drug dealing and weapon carrying.
