Drug dealer hands himself in

Craig Mercer made a call at around 7pm on 13th March stating that he was wanted by police and he was at Creswell leisure centre.

“He wasn’t wanted. When officers arrived he said: ‘I’ve taken some M-Cat and I’m a dealer’,” Becky Mahon, prosecuting, told Chesterfield magistrates.

“His locker was searched and a bag containing white crystals was found. In his trouser pocket was a bag containing cannabis.”

Ms Mahon said 249g of mephedrone - an illicit stimulant - was seized.

Police estimated it would have cost £1,000-1,250 and could have fetched as much as £5,000 on the street if sold in 1g deals.

Mercer also had a small bag of the drug worth £20 and £10 worth of cannabis.

Ms Mahon said his first interview with police was suspended because of his behaviour and he made no comment during the second interview.

Mercer, 24, of Franklin Crescent, Whitwell, admitted possessing mephedrone with intent to supply it, and possessing mephedrone and cannabis.

He had no previous drug-related convictions.

The justices adjourned sentence for probation service reports, saying it was commendable that he had stopped himself from dealing.

“He was going to be a drug dealer,” said Bob Sowter, for Mercer.

“He purchased some drugs and took some and he then had a change of heart and called police, saying: ‘I’m a drug dealer, come and get me’.”

He continued: “He has almost gone down the wrong path but he changed his mind at the last minute and shopped himself,”

He added that Mercer had referred himself to a drug advisory clinic and had seen a doctor regarding possible mental health concerns.