Ipswich: Man will spend 22nd birthday in jail after admitting supplying drugs

Dwayne Farrell, from Peterhouse Close, appeared for sentencing at Norwich Crown Court yesterday. He had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession of cocaine, and possession of heroin with intent to supply, all between September 1 and October 18.

Richard Paterson, prosecuting, said that a police officer spotted Farrell, who had been under observation for some time, acting suspiciously at Norwich train station on October 17.

He said: “The crown’s case is that he came to Norwich to deal drugs.

“Police followed Farrell into the train station and he got a train to Ipswich. When he arrived in Ipswich, officers lost him, but the defendant returned to the station by taxi, and he got on another train back to Norwich.

“He was detained at the barrier at Norwich station. He was arrested and the next day surrendered to police several packages of drugs that he had concealed on his person.”

The court heard that Farrell had 17 previous convictions for 21 offences dating back to 2006, including for robbery and burglary. Farrell also admitted being in breach of a conditional discharge given for being in a car that had been taken without consent.

David Wilson, for Farrell, said: “He has not been gaining financially and has been homeless since his last custodial sentence. He has no previous convictions for supplying drugs. He never really knew his father.”

Recorder Richard Gordon told Farrell: “For someone so young you have a very bad record.”

Afterwards, Det Sgt Robin Windsor Waite, from Norfolk Constabulary’s tactical crime unit, said “We received information that a male known only as ‘Chubbs’ had established a supply network in the city.

“We didn’t know his real name but we knew where he was operating and his general description. The team deployed in the Riverside area and within hours Farrell was in custody and his supply operation shut down.”