A cocaine dealer who was Tasered and beaten unconscious by thugs after witnessing a murder was today locked up for 30 months.
Karl Scurry, 20, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today after admitting dealing cocaine and cannabis to pay off a £2,000 drug debt.
The court heard how Scurry, of Lincoln Street, Garston , was “terrified” of the prospect of being put behind bars.
John Rowan, defending, said: “He witnessed a murder and as a result was assaulted by those related allegedly to that offence and put in hospital.
“He was Tasered and assaulted to unconsciousness. Police visited him in hospital and he was warned by the police he is at significant risk.
“For that reason he is particularly fearful of a prison setting.”
Ian Criddle, prosecuting, said police raided Scurry’s home on November 21 last year.
Officers recovered seven grams of cocaine in 14 bags, with an estimated street value of up to £350.
They also found six bags of cannabis, weighing 10 grams, valued at up to £202.
Mr Criddle said Scurry had nearly seven grams of benzocaine, caffeine and phenacetin and six grams of paracetamol – commonly used for cutting drugs.
Police also seized a mobile phone containing two text messages related to drugs and £80 in cash.
When arrested, Scurry was heard to tell a neighbour he was “going to get filled in”.
Mr Criddle added: “Presumably by the people who provided him with the drugs”.
He admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply.
The Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, Liverpool Crown Court. File picture. Photo by Ian Cooper
The court heard Scurry has a “very poor record” for anti-social behaviour and a previous conviction for aggravated vehicle taking.
Mr Rowan said his client made a “foolish decision” to deal drugs, which he “bitterly regrets”.
He said Scurry’s mum described him as being “the perfect little boy” before he was diagnosed with serious health problems at the age of 11.
The court heard he underwent a major operation at 15 during a “horrendous” period of his life and began smoking cannabis to ease his severe pain.
Mr Rowan said Scurry was unable to work and having run up a drug debt, fell under the “complete control” of a dealer.
He said the defendant was “ashamed and devastated” and faces another major operation to prevent cancer.
Jailing him, Recorder Andrew Long said: “Yours is indeed a very sad story and it’s clear to me you have had significant obstacles to overcome during the course of your young life.
“They do not unfortunately excuse your behaviour. People who supply Class A drugs are sent to prison.”
The judge said he had significantly reduced Scurry’s sentence in a young offenders institution because of his personal circumstances.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/