Pubdate: Sat, 27 May 2000
Source: Times, The (UK)
Copyright: 2000 Times Newspapers Ltd
Contact:  PO Box 496, London E1 9XN, United Kingdom
Fax: +44-(0)171-782 5046
Website: http://www.the-times.co.uk/
Author: Steve Bird

BOY, 12, 'YOUNGEST DEALER IN HARD DRUGS'

A BOY aged 12 who was caught peddling crack cocaine was facing a custodial 
sentence yesterday after being branded England's youngest dealer in hard drugs.

The child, now 13, was found guilty of possessing heroin and crack cocaine 
with intent to supply. He was caught by police with the narcotics stuffed 
down his trouser pockets and carrying 400 UKP in cash while cycling to his 
next customer, Inner London Crown Court was told.

Judge Quentin Campbell spoke of his "sadness and horror" at the case. "This 
is a serious and very, very worrying case," he said after the schoolboy, 
sitting between his mother and solicitor, was found guilty by a majority 
verdict.

Turning to the jury, the judge said: "I have to say after 20 years on one 
sort of bench or another, I never thought I would be presiding over such a 
trial. The court, and I am sure you the jury, must be horrified to see such 
a young boy, who, on the evidence, is clearly guilty of having crack 
cocaine and heroin, perhaps the most dangerous drugs of all, with the 
intention of supplying them to others."

After telling the child that he faced a real risk of custody, the judge 
remanded him into local authority care for a month. Sentencing was 
adjourned until reports are prepared.

The court was told how the schoolboy, at just 4ft 8in tall, small for his 
age, had repeatedly tried to escape as plain-clothes police found 18 
"rocks" of crack cocaine and two wraps of heroin worth a total of 500 UKP 
crammed into his left tracksuit trouser pocket. He had been spotted cycling 
with a 15-year-old boy.

As well as the 400 UKP in cash, more crack cocaine, a small amount of 
cannabis and a further 1,600 UKP was found shortly afterwards at a friend's 
flat. Police had been unable to find any evidence linking the 15-year-old 
to the drugs. He was given a caution in connection with a small amount of 
cannabis he was carrying.
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