Carlisle cocaine dealer turned charity fundraiser avoids jail

At the city’s Crown Court, a judge was told that 23-year-old Matthew Davidson had made a determined effort to beat his addiction and turn his life around, pouring his energy into fund-raising for a cancer charity.

The defendant, whose friend has been diagnosed with lymphoma, also planned to raise cash by competing in the Great North Run. Davidson, of Caird Avenue, Belah, had earlier admitted possessing the Class A  drug with intent to supply.

Prosecutor Tim Evans said the offence came to light at 10.30am on June 11 last year when police raided the north Carlisle home of the defendant. The officers found the front door of the house open.

Davidson was in his bed, still asleep.

Even after the officers went into his bedroom, Davidson slept on, waking only after the officers shook him. “Once awake, he appeared very confused as to why the police were there,” said Mr Evans.

“The police officers in the bedroom explained it to him in detail.” After dressing, the defendant briefly left the house but then returned. In his bedroom, the police found cocaine with a potential street value of £5,800.

They also found digital scales and cash - a total of £9,490.

Mark Shepherd, defending, said that despite the risk his client faced of a “substantial prison term”, he was grateful he was caught.

"On June 11 last year, his life was in a torrid state," said the lawyer.

"He feels his addiction was getting worse and worse. He was using £100 worth of cocaine on a daily basis. Having become addicted, as night follows day, he accured a drugs debt."

Opportunity: A Carlisle Crown Court judge told the defendant to seize his chance to show he is a reformed character (Image: Newsquest)

That pressure prompted Davidson to start dealing himself. But since his arrested he had done all he could to rid himself of his addiction.”

The lawyer described he defendant as a hard-working young man who was respected and valued by his employer. But he could now say with confidence that he would never touch cocaine again.

Mr Shepherd said: “He described his arrest as the catalyst he needed to rid himself of his addiction. I suggest that the steps he has taken to address his addiction have been substantial.”

The court heard also that Davidson had committed himself to helping a friend who was last year diagnosed with blood cancer and he had helped to raise more than £7,000 for a national blood cancer charity.

His contribution included signing up for this year’s Great North Run as part of his ongoing fundraising efforts which have already helped raise £7,673 for Lymphoma Action in just three months.

The lawyer quoted from a letter written to the court by his friend on Davidson’s behalf, which described the “immense level of support” the defendant had provided in the last eight months.

“He has encouraged me to raise awareness of the disease and to enter this year’s Great North Run,” said the man.

Recorder Ian Unsworth QC said that there was no doubt the defendant’s offending crossed the custody threshold. He told the defendant: “You have placed yourself in a very serious position. The unlawful use of illegal drugs wreak havoc in society.

“They ruin lives… they wreck the lives of those people who are addicted to them.” But a year ago, said the judge, Davidson was in a very different position, having accumulated a “significant debt” to his dealers.

“Foolishly, you sought to cover that debt by beginning to deal drugs yourself.” Ordinarily, such offended attracted a three-and-a-half-year jail term as a starting point.”

But unlike many defendants, said the judge, Davidson had over the last year taken “many positive steps to better himself.” “Within days, you sought professional help to rid yourself of this addiction,” said the judge. “No doubt your parents, whose letter I have read, were devastated by the effect that this has had on them.

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“You are lucky that they still support you. Many do not have the benefit of such loving and caring parents; you should be extraordinarily grateful to them.” The judge noted also the defendant had secured work but the defendant’s employer had said Davidson’s job would probably not be kept open were he to be jailed.

The Recorder said he had decided to take the rare step of deferring sentence, not so that the defendant could compete in the Great North Run but to test whether positive changes he has made to his life can be maintained.

The judge postponed sentencing until October 3, stipulating that Davidson must continue to live with his parents in Carlisle, continue with his counselling sessions, and continue with his employment.

The judge added: “This is a rare step. You have taken steps to make yourself a better person. Take this opportunity.” The judge added that the drugs and drugs paraphernalia and the cash should be forfeited.