A COCAINE dealer whose drug use began aged just 14 told a probation officer when arrested and brought to court for supply crimes: “My addiction was a curse.”

And as 28-year-old Rory Bailey was punished for his offending, Recorder Julian Shaw became the latest Carlisle Crown Court judge to highlight the “untold misery” of substance misuse.

Bailey was caught red-handed while driving a Peugeot van seen by police close to Junction 41 of the M6 northbound at around 9pm on 21st July, 2022.

“It had a defective headlight. They decided to stop the vehicle, check the driver and the vehicle itself,” said Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting.

Bailey spoke of returning from work as a joiner in Keighley. But officers decided to search the van, noting him to be “anxious, nervous and fidgety”. His shorts were undone, there were “Kinder” egg containers in the van’s central console and a tub of petroleum jelly was located.

Officers also recovered high purity cocaine weighing in at 348g — potentially worth up to £43,500 if sold on the street.

Bailey made no comment in interview. But when one of three phones in his possession was analysed, police recovered messages indicative of cocaine supply which referenced weights, measures and quantities. “Hopefully get some pics out to a few people,” read one, “and get some testers out to local lads on site.”

Mr Rogerson said: “Officers formed the opinion this was somebody sourcing weights of cocaine, very often at a level of a kilogram at a time, for onward supply on the streets.”

Bailey admitted both possessing the class A controlled substance with intent to supply, and being concerned in supplying it over a period of more than two years — from June, 2020, to July, 2022.

Bailey was said to have regarded his arrest during 2022 as a “relief”, telling a probation officer: “My addiction was a curse.” His drug use began aged just 14.

“He was working through the course of this time,” said defence lawyer Jeff Smith, mitigating. “He didn’t generate the income that consumption of cocaine required, and of course he did the acts that Mr Rogerson has described.”

After hearing Bailey, of Boundary Road, Carlisle, had no previous convictions, turned his life around and sought professional counselling which was continuing, Recorder Shaw suspended a two-year jail term for two years. He also took into account a lengthy delay in bringing the case to court — caused by phone analysis.

Bailey must complete rehabilitation work, 220 hours’ community service and a 10-month electronically monitored night time curfew.

Highlighting the way in which drugs blight society, Recorder Shaw told Bailey: “There isn’t a day that goes by in a crown court in this country that isn’t concerned with offenders dealing in drugs. The misery it brings to people who are addicted, as you were, is untold.

“It is the families, the relationships, the friends, the loved ones who scratch their heads in bewilderment (and think) how did this happen? What could we have done to stop this?”

Recorder Shaw added: “Don’t deal drugs, Mr Bailey, and steer clear of them. If you need help you know where to get it.”