Daniel King, a man who killed a woman while riding a stolen scrambler bike, has been returned to prison after admitting to drug dealing while on licence. King, 33, of Shrewton Road in Belle Vale, was sentenced to 38 months at Liverpool Crown Court on July 2 for possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of those drugs.
Background of the case
King was originally jailed for eight years and three months in 2021 for causing the death of 26-year-old Rebecca Cooke by dangerous driving. He had been speeding through Childwall and Huyton on a KTM530 bike while under the influence of cannabis and already disqualified from driving. He swerved onto a pavement to avoid a police car, striking Ms Cooke, who was thrown into a wall and died later in hospital from catastrophic injuries. At the time, King told police: 'I swear officer, I didn't mean to hit anyone. I don't care what happens to me as long as she's ok.'
New offences while on licence
After his release on licence, King was stopped by police on Renshaw Street in Liverpool city centre on June 3. He was in the front passenger seat of a car driven by co-defendant James McGlade. Officers recovered a small bag of cannabis resin, £120 in cash, and a Nokia mobile phone. Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, said the phone had sent a message reading 'on at 6' to nine contacts earlier that day, and billing data showed the 'graft phone was in its infancy, only two days old.' During a strip search, officers found wraps of heroin and crack cocaine worth between £190 and £250 hidden between King's buttocks.
Analysis revealed that the vehicle co-located with the drugs line consistently over three days, with 44 activities of co-location. The prosecution argued that McGlade drove King to various locations for drug dealing.
Court proceedings and sentencing
King admitted the drug offences, while McGlade, 29, of Rosefield Road in Woolton, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. McGlade had been jailed for 70 months for firearms offences in 2021 and an additional 20 months in 2023 for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine. He was recalled to serve the remainder of his sentence, with an earliest release date of September 2028.
King's barrister, Simran Garcha, told the court: 'He instructs me that he became involved in this offending because he owed an associate some money. He agreed to deal drugs for one week. He describes that as the worst decision he has ever made.' Garcha added that King had been recalled on licence until September 2029 and had been doing well, engaging with education and employment opportunities. 'He was motivated to get back into work to gain some stability in his life,' she said. 'He knows that, by reason of his own foolishness, his incarceration will have a profound impact on her and their relationship.'
King has 17 previous convictions for 34 offences. McGlade has 12 previous convictions for 21 offences.
Sentencing remarks
Recorder Anne Price sentenced both men to 38 months each, appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse. She said: 'It appears to me that you were both part and parcel of the same enterprise.' She noted the limited duration of involvement but highlighted the seriousness of dealing two different types of drugs and their significant previous convictions. 'The mitigation is limited,' she added. 'I am aware, Mr King, that you were making some progress on your licence. To a degree, that has been cancelled out by your offending.'
