A dad-to-be who took over a terminally ill woman's home to deal drugs has been jailed for four years. Pedro Gomes, 24, of Heathfield Close in Formby, was described as a "prolific dealer of class A drugs, not just across Merseyside but also in the Greater Manchester area".
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday that Gomes used the pseudonym "Mitch" to supply heroin and crack cocaine worth up to £25,000 over about three months. He was arrested on January 28 when Greater Manchester Police attended a flat at Derby House in the Scholes area of Wigan, where a terminally ill woman lived with her 17-year-old grandson.
Drugs found in cupboard
Prosecutor Nick Cockrell described how a "significant amount of class A drugs" was found inside a carrier bag in a cupboard in the hallway. This was later found to be 405 packages of crack cocaine, valued at around £4,050, and 155 of heroin, estimated to be worth roughly £1,550.
It was then discovered that Gomes was also wanted by Merseyside Police in relation to the "Mitch" line, a county lines-style operation responsible for supplying heroin and crack cocaine worth in the region of £9,900 to £24,750 between August and November last year. He has three previous convictions for eight offences, including receiving four-and-a-half years in October 2021 for supplying heroin, cocaine and ketamine in June 2020 and supplying heroin, cocaine and cannabis in July the following year.
Defence cites drug issues and impending fatherhood
Kate Morley, defending, told the court: "Mr Gomes' involvement in drugs is as a result of his own drug issues, which he has had since his teenage years. His upbringing was not straightforward. It resulted in him spending some years in the care system. Taking drugs was a coping mechanism for him, and he fell into the wrong crowd."
She added: "Again in a drug debt, he succumbed yet again. Also, at the time, he was struggling with his mental health. It perhaps provides some background why he got in this position again."
Morley said Gomes' partner is due to give birth in three weeks. "It is only in the last few months, when Mr Gomes has vowed that he will not go back to drug dealing, that she has given him one last chance. If he returns to drug dealing, he will be a third striker. He knows the consequences. He will not take that risk again."
Gomes admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool, he was jailed for four years.
Judge warns of longer sentences
Sentencing, Judge Charlotte Crangle said: "These are serious matters. You know, because of your own experience, the evils of drugs. You know what damage they can do to families, to people's health and to the community at large."
She added: "This is your second time in court for trafficking class A drugs. If you find yourself back before the courts having dealt class A drugs on a third occasion, then the court will have no option other than to consider a minimum sentence of seven years imprisonment."
Judge Crangle noted the offences were aggravated by his previous convictions, being on post-sentence supervision until January 2026, and the fact that a vulnerable person's premises was used. She said there were factors reducing seriousness, including his age, immaturity, and steps taken to address his dependence issues.
