Hapless Carlton drug dealer caught by cops after falling into garden pond

Richard Caldwell, previously of Knaton Road, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday 13th April charged with possession of heroin with intent to supply.

The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to 30 months in prison by Judge Michael Stokes.

Caldwell was arrested in November 2010 following the execution of a search warrant at his home by Notts Police.

When officers arrived Caldwell fled through a back garden. But when he jumped over the fence he landed in a garden pond, dropping three cling film wraps of heroin in the process. He was apprehended moments later.

In total, 22.48g of heroin with an estimated street value of £3,000, was seized, along with associated drugs paraphernalia and around £6,000 in cash and property.

While on bail Caldwell was arrested again in January and in June last year following the recovery of a number of cannabis plants at James Street and Watson Road.

In both cases he was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, the production of a Class B drug.

He received nine months for the James Street grow and a further 12 months for the plants that were found at Watson Road.

Both jail terms will run consecutively to the 30 months, amounting to four years and three months behind bars.

Caldwell also pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the supply of heroin, the production of cannabis and the illegal re-routing of electricity from the mains supply. Judge Stokes decided to allow these to lie on file.

PC John Graham has been dealing with the cases against Caldwell’s for the last 18 months.

“It was a long haul but we got the result we wanted in the end,” he said.

“As well as his sentence we will be pursuing the appropriation of Caldwell’s income from his drug sales through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, so he will get absolutely no benefit from his illegal activities.”

“Here in Bassetlaw we are determined to bring to justice those who damage lives and our communities through the production and supply of illegal drugs.”

“Those dealers who think they can hide up here in the north of the county are gravely mistaken.”

“As Caldwell’s sentence proves, drug offenders are high on our radar and one-by-one we will bring them to justice.”