04 October 2023 , 07:38
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A man with a stable income and close family was leading a "secret life" which was uncovered when he walked into a bar.
Kai Birkett was searched by a worker when he tried to enter the Reef Bar in Warrington, Cheshire on March 13 last year. The joiner was found to be in possession of six bags of white powder, later identified as cocaine with a street value of up to £300, in the front pocket of his jeans.
The 23-year-old was then arrested by a police officer nearby. But Liverpool Crown Court heard that a further search of his home the following day discovered more of the Class A drug, £500 in cash, a set of scales with cocaine residue on and three graft phones.
In total, around 4.28g of cocaine, with a street value of up to £330, was found in Birkett's possession. Paul Blasbery, prosecuting, said the three mobile phones had evidence of drug-related messages on them when examined by the police.
Yesterday afternoon, Birkett was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, reports the Liverpool Echo. Paul Wood, defending, had told the court how his client was "living a secret life". He said: "On the face he was a positive member of society and then got the habit and went to illegal lengths to feed that habit."
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At the time of the offence, Birkett had a "lack of maturity" and was a cocaine addict who dealt the drug to "feed his habit", the court heard. He had been using the drug since he was 18 and in March last year was dealing to fund his £300 a week habit. Birkett had also fallen into debt following the theft of a number of work tools.
The defendant, who initially denied he had an addiction, has since accepted he had issues with his cocaine and ketamine use and has worked hard to address it. Mr Wood said Birkett had distanced himself from his peers, had not reoffended and had held down a solid job as a "well thought of" self-employed joiner on domestic contracts.
But when interviewed by the police Birkett answered "no comment" to every question. Mr Wood said the case had taken a while to get to court but recognised "the defendant hasn't helped that because he did not cooperate with the police".
Birkett was said to have "genuine remorse" for his offending and had felt feelings of paranoia and fear while waiting to learn the outcome of his case. Mr Wood said his client lives at home with his parents and two sisters, who although don't condone his behaviour, support him.
His debt has since been paid off, the court hard, but the defendant is now indebted to his mum to a sum of around £1,500. Mr Wood said he is "aware how serious the court's view is of cases of this nature", but called on the court to suspend any sentence.
Birkett, who wore a dark blue suit and sported a short brown beard and hair, earlier pleaded guilty to one charge of possession with intent to supply a controlled Class A drug.
Recorder Eric Lamb told Birkett he was "in part responsible for the delay" in the case getting to crown court, noting the delay was "of great concern" for the defendant. Addressing Birkett, the judge acknowledged Birkett's addiction brought about his offending, but added: "You were expecting financial advantage."
He told Birkett: "You need no reminding of the devastation caused by the dissemination of Class A drugs...but you added to the spread of class A in your secret life." However, Recorder Lamb noted Birkett's strong personal mitigation, particularly how he had overcome his addiction and demonstrated he can hold down regular employment.
The defendant, who was supported in court by his parents and partner among others, will also have to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation days and a necessary community order. A deprivation order for the mobile phones had been made earlier in the hearing and the £500 cash will be donated to a local charity.