Drug dealer caught near children’s play area is ‘not a mastermind’

Christian Foster was put behind bars at Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Thursday, after admitting charges of possessing crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply it.

The 55-year-old, a user of class A drugs for decades initially claimed that the drugs he had – worth hundreds of pounds – were for his own use.

But he later admitted his role in supplying them after being spotted in the act by plain clothed police out on patrol.

The facts of the case were outlined by Ian Criddle, representing the prosecution, who explained how the offending arose out of an incident on March 26 this year at around 2.20pm.

On St Katherine’s Way in Howley, the defendant was seen by plain clothed police officers with two people who ‘looked like drug users’.

Police watched what they believed to be a drug deal or transaction taking place, with Foster appearing to pull a package out of his top.

“The significance of the location is a skate park, where young people congregate and drug dealing should not be taking place,” Mr Criddle said.

With reference to the location also being near a children’s play area, Mr Criddle added: “Whether teenagers or toddlers, they are people who should not have to witness this going on in a public place.”

Following the deal, Foster walked off, but he was stopped nearby on St Elphin's Close by officers and searched.

This revealed he was in possession of 35 wraps of crack cocaine and 44 wraps of heroin – all in £10 deals, with a total value of around £790.

He was also in possession of £21.20 in cash, which has been seized and donated to the court’s designated charity of the month.

Foster was subsequently arrested and answered no comment to questions put to him during his police interview.

Mr Criddle revealed that Foster has 11 previous convictions for 21 offences, dating back to 1983.

It was said that he was dealing directly to users, with the defendant telling the probation service that he was dealing as he felt ‘some pressure being a drug addict’.

Christian Foster was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court

“He must have been making some small money from this,” Mr Criddle said.

“That being said, he must have had some understanding of the scale of the operation given the amount of deals with him, but given his record and how he presents in court, I am satisfied he is not a mastermind in a drug operation.”

Mitigating on behalf of Foster, Olivia Brooksbank-Laing said that her client, who struggles with his mental and physical health, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and should be afforded full credit for doing so.

“He does not seek to excuse his actions, but put them in context. He has expressed remorse and wants your honour to know he is sorry for his actions,” she said.

She revealed that Foster has been a class A drug addict for around 20 years, with his issues worsening with the loss of three close family members within months of each other.

Before sentencing, judge Stuart Driver said: “The high quantity of drugs found in your possession means you must have understood the scale of the operation and expected some financial reward.

“This was a park bench and near a children’s play area and skate park,” he said, adding that he was ‘concerned about location of drug dealing’.

He concluded: “The sentence is too long to be suspended, and appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody.”

Foster, of Farrell Street in Howley, was sentenced to 28 months immediate imprisonment.

The court also approved an order for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs seized by police.

The sentence was welcomed by DC Vicky Hancox, who said: “Thanks to the work of the two eagle-eyed officers, another drug dealer is now behind bars.

“This is a fantastic result, and I hope it acts as a warning to others planning to deal drugs in Cheshire – demonstrating that you never know who is watching.

“Illegal drugs can have a devastating impact, not only to drug users, but also the community around them.

“Here in Warrington, we are doing all we can to stop drug activity on our streets to make the town a safer place to live and visit, while also making it extremely difficult for these offenders to operate.

“We will always act on any information about drug activity provided to us, and we would urge anyone who believes this activity is happening near to them to get in touch.”