DAD'S DRUG TRIP ENDS IN SEIZURE AND SLAMMER

A dad went to Argos to buy a wardrobe but ended up in prison after a ketamine-induced seizure revealed nearly £2,000 of drugs. Off-duty police officer swoops on Rhys Carter, 35, from St Helens, when he collapses in the store. While being tended to, a stash of cocaine and crack cocaine falls out of his jacket. Carter claimed the drugs belonged to a friend, but messages on his phone revealed weeks of dealing to fund his own habit. Liverpool Crown Court heard Carter had previous convictions for cannabis and class A drug possession with intent to supply. Prosecutor Jonathan Rogers described how Carter removed his jacket, dropping 17g of cocaine worth up to £1,450 and 35 wraps of crack cocaine worth £350. Defence lawyer Louise Santamera told the court Carter is a father to a one-year-old and has been drug-free since his incarceration. He’s gained weight, hit the gym, and even got his CSCS card for future work on the railways. Recorder Richard Pratt KC sentenced Carter to 43 months in HMP Liverpool, accepting that his main motivation was to finance his addiction. Carter admitted possession with intent to supply and failing to surrender to bail. He went AWOL for a few days before being traced by the feds. The court heard he’s now determined to turn his life around for his family.