A dealer who supplied cocaine and cannabis in Whitby was found out by police after being involved in a car crash.
Jack Buckworth, 34, now of Pontypridd in Wales, was jailed for a total of three years and one month at York Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property (money made from drug dealing).
His co-defendant, a woman from Whitby, was given a suspended sentence when she appeared in court last year. She previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, possession of criminal property and possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
They were caught out when Buckworth was involved in a collision and officers examined a mobile phone which revealed multiple messages relating to drug dealing.
North Yorkshire Police said the investigation showed the pair frequently worked together to deal drugs and used a “work phone” to discuss any matters in relation to drugs.
However they would often discuss drugs in their personal phones, and personal matters on their “work” line.
Even when charged they continued to exchange messages in order to come up with a “story” to try and pass the blame for their drug-dealing.
Despite claiming benefits, Buckworth’s bank accounts showed deposits amounting to more than £15,000 over a six-month period, of which £10,838 were third party payments with the majority being made by his co-defendant.
They were almost immediately withdrawn once they were paid in, indicative of Buckworth handling cash.
At the sentencing hearing, Buckworth was also sentenced to nine months in prison for assaulting a woman in July 2024. This sentence will run concurrent to his term for drug offences.
A hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act is due to be held at a later date.
PC Rebecca Davison, of Scarborough And Ryedale Response Team, said: “Drug dealing causes misery in local communities and is a drain on society. It is fuelled by greed on the part of the dealers, vulnerability of the users or the belief that it is harmless fun.
“It absolutely is not. The true costs of drug use are significant and far reaching. From child exploitation and other criminality, to health and environmental.
“We will not tolerate it in North Yorkshire and the defendant is now facing the consequences of his actions.”
