A young drug dealer who was selling cocaine in Fife to pay off his drug debts to a Birmingham gang has been spared imprisonment.
Daniel Church, 21, formerly of Stratford-on-Avon, was caught by police with a stun gun when officers forced their way into a property he was dealing from in Methil.
Fiscal depute Claire Bremner explained police had been gathering intelligence on Church’s operations since the beginning of April.
Officers obtained a search warrant for a property in Taylor Street, Methil, which they executed shortly before noon on May 19.
They forced entry and found sofa-surfer Church inside.
A cash total of £1,375 was recovered, along with scales, a mobile phone and a selection of keys.
At 2pm that afternoon, a property in Wellshot Road, Kennoway was raided.
Inside, they found a safe which contained bundles of cash worth £1,850, £1,380 and £680.
20.73 grammes of cocaine was recovered, thought to be worth up to £2,800.
The stun gun was found in the Methil property and forensic analysis showed Church had held it.
Police reported that the illicit weapon “audibly and visibly displayed sparks”.
Birmingham gang debt
Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court court heard that since admitting the offences a month ago, Church has been sentenced to 26 months of restricted liberty by an English court, having been convicted of possessing a blade.
His solicitor Eilidh Grant said this incident had come about when her client had been carrying cash for the Birmingham gang but that they no longer know his whereabouts.
Ms Grant also pointed to Church’s age and sentencing guidelines for young offenders.
She said: “The offence occurred at a time when Mr Church was a user of cocaine and had built up significant drug debts.
“He didn’t benefit from this course of action, other than appeasing those who he owed.
“Mr Church comes from a background of some adversity.
“It would appear Mr Church turned to drug use.
“That got considerably out of hand by the time he committed this offence.
“He’s managed to cut all ties since then.
“Mr Church’s position is that he’s escaped their clutches by moving.
“He’s continuing to struggle with cannabis.
“He’s not equipped with the relevant skills to help him make the best decisions.”
Fellow dealer jailed
Church admitted being concerned in the supply of the cocaine between April 21 and May 19, 2021 in Methil and Kennoway and possessing the stun gun.
Sheriff James Williamson sentenced him to two years supervision and 240 hours of unpaid work to be completed within a year.
He said: “If you breach this order, you can expect to go to prison for two years.”
The court heard that a dealing colleague of Church’s had already been jailed for 32 months.
Kieran Carolan was also sent from England to sell drugs in the Levenmouth area after racking up debts with organised criminals.
