Gerard Kirkham, a promising martial arts fighter who called himself "Wirral Party Man" on Snapchat, was caught with a stash of cocaine and ketamine potentially worth nearly £7,000. He has been freed from prison to continue his fighting career, with a judge warning him: "If you rebuild your life, all will be well. If you don't, the sentences will get longer and longer."
Snapchat account leads to arrest
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday that Merseyside Police became aware of the Snapchat account "Wirral Party Man 8" while investigating an unspecified death. The account was used to sell drugs to users. It was linked to Kirkham via his IP address, leading officers to his home on Clarence Road in Birkenhead on April 14 this year.
Prosecutor Derek Jones said officers recovered 67.6g of ketamine (worth £676 to £1,352), 80.48g of high-purity cocaine (valued at £3,220 to £5,633), small quantities of cannabis and magic mushrooms, and about £1,000 in cash. Two mobile phones were also seized, used to sell ketamine over the Snapchat profile in the previous two months.
Debt led to dealing
Kirkham, 24, with no previous convictions, maintained in a basis of plea accepted by the prosecution that he became involved in criminality due to a £3,000 debt. He admitted being concerned in the supply of ketamine, possession of cocaine and ketamine with intent to supply, possession of criminal property, and possession of cannabis.
Defence lawyer Anna Duke told the court: "He has been in custody since his remand on April 15. He has not simply buried his head in the sand. He now works in the prison. That says volumes. He is very talented as far as martial arts are concerned. It is hoped that, once released, he will improve his career."
Judge's warning and suspended sentence
Sentencing, Judge Simon Medland KC said: "Drugs destroy people's lives. Ketamine is remarkably poisonous stuff. It erodes people's bladders. They find themselves incontinent. It is a disgusting substance. You had quite a lot of ketamine and cocaine at high purity. On the other hand, you were realistic enough to accept the inevitable consequences."
Kirkham appeared via video link from HMP Altcourse. He was handed a 32-month imprisonment suspended for 30 months with 150 hours of unpaid work. The judge added: "You will either work this out or you will be back, and the sentences will get longer and longer. If you rebuild your life, keep off drugs, all will be well."
