‘Royal-recognised’ South Shields Marine School lecturer put behind bars for drug dealing
A respected maritime lecturer whose career received royal recognition has been jailed for drug dealing in a bid to help a homeless man and bulk buying methamphetamine for his "party lifestyle".
At Newcastle Crown Court today Reynier, who lost his 20-year career at South Shields Marine School in South Tyneside after his drugs arrest, was jailed for three years.
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told the court police had received a tip-off that a Ford Cougar was involved in drug dealing in South Shields and officers performed at stop.
Reynier was the driver of the vehicle and homeless man Dean Purnell, who has a criminal record, was his passenger.
Officers seized cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamine, worth a combined total of up to £7,230, from the car and Reynier's house and he admitted possessing all three with intent to supply.
The court heard Reynier got involved in drug dealing in a bid to help out Parnell's lack of housing and the methamphetamine was for his "party lifestyle".
Reynier, 64, now of Beale Close, Bishop Tachbrook, Leamington Spa, admitted possessing all three drugs with intent to supply.
Purnell, 36, now of Ullswater Avenue, Jarrow, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply.
Judge Gavin Doig jailed them both for three years.
The judge said Reynier had lived a "laudable life" and told him: "You have been involved in the merchant navy and been commended for that."
But Judge Doig added: "You were involved in a party lifestyle, using methamphetamine to assist you.
"You and your friends would purchase methamphetamine at a high cost and you decided to buy in bulk to supply to others.
"The amount of methamphetamine is the greatest of all controlled drugs in this case."
Judge Doig said there had been a basis of plea submitted to the court and added: "Reynier had the idea to begin selling drugs so as to help Mr Purnell with his homelessness.
"That plan didn't work but it is some mitigation for you both, that was the purpose rather than simple profiteering on behalf of one or both."
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said it was at 12.30am on January 11, 2024, when police were told by council camera operators that a Ford Cougar was believed to be involved in dealing around Coronation Street, in South Shields.
Mr Wardlaw said: "Officers attended the area and saw the vehicle on Westoe Road, followed it and caused it to come to a stop on Sunderland Road.
"The vehicle was driven by Reynier and Purnell was passenger.
"The vehicle was searched and drugs were seized, in addition to mobile phones and £80 cash.
"Reynier's address was searched and further phones and drugs in addition to sodium bicarbonate, which is used to turn cocaine into crack cocaine."
The court heard the crack cocaine seized was worth £550-£590, the cocaine was worth £1,460-£2110 and the methamphetamine between £2,400 and £4,530.
Mr Wardlaw told the court: "The phone were examined, which were in the possession of both defendants, and they indicate ongoing drug dealing."
The court heard Reynier has one conviction for drug driving and Purnell has 22 offences on his record but none for dealing.
Liam O'Brien, defending Reynier, said: "This is a really unusual case, Mr Reynier is an unusual defendant, with a very distinguished life and career.
"I don't think I have ever been involved in a case where someone has lost so much.
"He has lost all of his savings, lost his marriage, lost his reputation and lost his job."
Jonathan Cousins, defending Purnell, said the cocaine dealing was a "bizarre way" to try and help his housing situation but ended up "exacerbating their difficulties".
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