A man who worked for a “reputable” aerospace firm and was a community football coach has been jailed for possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
Ashley Barnes, 36, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of class A and possession of criminal property at Burnley Magistrates’ Court on June 13.
Cocaine with a street value of almost £2,000 and more than £17,000 in cash was recovered from Barnes’ home when searched by police.
Officers also found cocaine in small and large bags, further empty snap bags, and two sets of scales.
Daniel Bramhall, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said: “On March 20, 2021, officers attended Malham Road, Burnley. The defendant was present with another individual. Officers searched the address and located a large amount of cocaine in a bedside table.
“In the same area, there was approximately £2,000 in cash, two sets of scales and further empty snap bags. Officers continued to search and found £15,220 in a wardrobe along with four mobile phones. One of those phones belonged to the defendant but he did not provide the passcode.
“The defendant was interviewed on the day and provided no comment answers to all questions.”
Barnes had no previous convictions. Forfeiture and destruction orders were made for the drugs and related paraphernalia.
Philip Holden, mitigating, said: “A large number of character references have been supplied from a variety of people from Barnes’ life, from family, to employers, to those who know him in the community – all of which speak to his character and speak to his work in the community.
“Not only has he been a good character, he set up a football club about nine years ago and built it up from a few players to a club with many teams.
“He’s had to step away from that because the FA have been informed of his arrest. It may be he will never be able to return to that role. That is through his doing, I accept.
“He is a man who has worked for a reputable, well-known firm in the aerospace industry. He’s been employed as an aircraft technician. He is plainly well regarded by those he works for.”
Mr Holden stated Barnes had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. There had been no further offences since his arrest and he was of a low risk of reoffending.
Sentencing, Recorder Ayesha Siddiqi said: “You had the expectation of significant financial or other advantage. There is no evidence you had any influence in a large-scale operation.
“It goes without saying the supply of drugs has a significant impact on members of society. That includes those who are victims of drug crimes and other drug users.
“When your house was searched the police found cocaine with a street value of £1,960 and they found £17,220 in cash. This is not supplying in a small scale.”
Recorder Siddiqi sentenced Barnes to two years and eight months in prison. Forfeiture and destruction orders were made for the drugs.
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