Drug dealers took over a man’s “family home” and turned it into a “haven” for a lucrative commercial enterprise selling cocaine.
Philip Melling, 54, got himself “into a pickle” very quickly when “things hit the skids” after he and his partner split up. He turned to drugs and fell into bad circles before drug dealers moved into his house and used it as their local base, Hull Crown Court heard.
Melling, of Newtondale, Sutton Park, Hull, admitted allowing his premises to be used for the supply of cocaine, reports Hull Live.
Michael Masson, prosecuting, said that cops became aware of drug dealing involving two men that was linked to and based at a house that was occupied at the time by Melling at The Willows, Sutton Park, Hull.
Taxis from the premises were booked by one of the men involved in the drugs line on December 9, 2023. A warrant was executed by the police at the house on January 19 last year.
“A man was fleeing the building via a first-floor window,” said Mr Masson. The man jumped from the window into the garden and police tried to take hold of him. The man threw himself over a garden fence but a police officer grabbed hold of his clothes before catching him and taking him to the ground.
“He was kicking out and trying to stand up,” said Mr Masson. “Other officers had to help arrest him.”
A wide variety of drugs paraphernalia was found in the house, including scales, plastic bags and several mobile phones. “The premises were being used as a stash or distribution centre,” said Mr Masson.
“The drugs line was based around heroin and crack cocaine.”
Over a 42-week period, more than 15,000 bulk marketing texts were sent out to 139 customers, 54 of whom responded to the messages, between April 10, 2023 and February 8 last year. Melling was in contact with the line on 967 occasions. “This was supplying the local area rather than up and down the country,” said Mr Masson. “This was drug dealing on a commercial scale. This has been a well organised drug dealing business resulting in large profit margins.”
David Godfrey, mitigating, said that the dad-of-two Melling got involved in the drugs operation after “things hit the skids” when he and his partner split up and he was at a low ebb.
“This was his family home,” said Mr Godfrey. “His house was used as a haven. People came round and sold drugs. He didn’t really know how to put an end to it. There was no financial gain for his role in this enterprise.”
Melling had spent time in custody on remand between January 24 and March 19 last year but he was later given bail on a curfew, but he had no previous convictions.
Judge Mark Bury told Melling: “You got yourself into a pickle due to personal problems, which caused you to start using drugs and mixing with people who took advantage of you. They took over your house for the sale and storage of Class A drugs.
“You weren’t really in a position to argue about that considering you were using drugs. I suspect that you were quite pleased when it all came to an end.”
Melling was caged for six months but, because of his earlier time in custody on remand and a qualifying curfew, he was expected to be released later that day.