Drugs and cash stash found in Prior Park

A Tweedmouth man has been told to expect a substantial prison sentence after admitting drugs charges.
Berwick Magistrates' CourtBerwick Magistrates' Court
Berwick Magistrates' Court

Martin McKnight, 29, of Hawthorne Crescent, Prior Park, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply when he appeared at Berwick Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

He also admitted a drink-driving offence.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the starting point was an 18-month sentence so the case should be committed to Newcastle Crown Court because the magistrates’ sentencing powers were insufficient.

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Omara Ahmed, prosecuting, told the court that a warrant was issued for police to search the defendant’s rented property on November 25.

Magistrates heard that packets of cocaine and cannabis were found in a kitchen drawer and £1,160 in cash was found in a shoe in an upstairs cupboard. Police also seized £460 and an iPhone from the defendant’s BMW.

Mr Ahmed told the court that 12g of cocaine with an estimated street value of £480 and 27g of cannabis with an estimated street value of £240 were found.

“The defendant admitted in interview the drugs belonged to him and he was selling them to make money,” said Mr Ahmed.

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The defendant, a factory manager in Berwickshire, also made admissions to having a further 50oz of cannabis and 3-4oz of cocaine.

Magistrates committed the case to Newcastle Crown Court on March 22, and called for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

The court heard the drink-driving offence happened in Tweedmouth on February 5.

PC Turner and PC Angus were on motor patrol on Billendean Road when they saw a red BMW pull out and drive off at speed. They stopped it on Cemetery Lane and noticed the driver, the defendant, smelled of alcohol. He failed a roadside breath test and was taken to the police station where he gave a camic reading of 87mg alc in 100ml breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

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Ian O’Rourke, in mitigation, said the defendant had had an argument with his girlfriend.

“They decided he should drive her home and he was on his way back when he was stopped,” he said.

He was given a 22-month driving ban and told to pay a fine and costs of £415.