A CARLISLE cocaine dealer will miss the birth of his first child while behind bars for his offending.

Craig Cherry, now 25, was initially sent to prison in April 2022, for blackmail and assault. Carlisle Crown Court heard Cherry and an accomplice had attacked a woman at a city address and threatened her with death as they ruthlessly tried to recoup a drug debt.

Cherry was handed a 42-month jail term for his part in that crime. He was released on licence part-way through the sentence.

But Cherry found himself in more hot water after police executed a search warrant at his Orton Road home on August 8 this year.

“A PC saw a window open and bare-chested male identified as this defendant,” said prosecutor Peter Wilson as Cherry returned to the crown court.

“He has thrown an item out of the window and into the front garden. This was found by the officer and found to be an amount of white powder wrapped in black plastic.” This was cocaine.

Cherry, present at the property with his partner, was arrested. Located at the address was £320 cash along with scissors, some cannabis, grinders and a mobile phone.

It was when the phone was analysed that Cherry’s latest serious offending emerged. One message asked “can you sort me out?”. People made other requests, there was a suggestion to “do it fast” and an image showing amounts of cocaine.

A debtors’ list on the phone — which belonged to Cherry’s partner but was used by him for his illegal sales, the court heard — suggested he was owed £1,930.

“The evidence showed the defendant was supplying cocaine,” said Mr Wilson.

Cherry admitted possessing the drug with intent to supply and also being concerned in the supply of it.

Barrister Kim Whittlestone gave mitigation as Cherry was sentenced this morning (Wednesday).

He had been recalled to prison on licence in connection with the blackmail and assault sentence and was not due for release in any event until October 2025.

His first child was due in March next year. In addition, his father was now receiving ongoing palliative care having been diagnosed with lung cancer. “He does not have very long left,” revealed Miss Whittlestone. “That has had a clear impact upon Mr Cherry. He blames himself for putting himself in that situation and knows he needs to be punished.

“His time in custody will be made more difficult by these two factors.”

Since being returned to prison, Cherry had made positive progress and gained certificates in a bid to mend his ways.

“He has knuckled down, engaged and is determined to put his offending behind him,” added Miss Whittlestone. “He is still a relatively young man. He is motivated to change.”

Judge Nicholas Barker imposed a total prison sentence of 31 months for the two cocaine crimes.

“Clearly this is what I would describe as a low to mid-level dealing operation by you,” Judge Barker told Cherry.

The judge added: “I am satisfied that the effect of you not being there for your father and not being there for your partner and your future child will serve to have a very important, maturing, growing up effect upon you.”