South Shields man caught with an illegally-obtained anxiety treatment
A South Tyneside man was caught with an anxiety treatment drug obtained illegally when police visited his home on an unrelated matter, a court heard.
Alfie Corner, 23, had a small quantity of diazepam on him when searched at his address in Hatfield Square, central South Shields, on Tuesday, December 2.
At the time, Corner was subject to a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, imposed by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court.
It was put in place in July 2024 for an offence of robbery, committed in June 2021, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.
Prosecutor Marcus Blakelock said: “The defendant was found in possession of diazepam when arrested for an unrelated matter.
“When asked about it, he provided a ‘no comment’ interview. He has four previous convictions from 10 offences.
“Ten are drug offences, as was the last, and at the time he was subject to a suspended sentence order and conditional discharges, all of 18 months.
“This matter is aggravated by his previous convictions. I also ask for forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.”
Corner pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a class C drug.
David Forrester, defending, told magistrates their sentencing options were complicated by the suspended sentence, leaving them with three options.
Mr Forrester said they could send the current drugs matter to the crown court to be dealt with by a judge, or draw a line under it by dealing with it to conclusion.
He said the third option was to deal with it to conclusion but also inform the crown court of the offence.
Mr Forrester said he preferred the final option, telling the court: “It’s a small amount of diazepam.
“I ask you to fine him for possession in accordance with the guidelines and have the court write to the crown court, to say the offence has been committed. It’s then a matter for the crown court.”
Magistrates concurred – and fined Corner £40, with £85 and a £16 victim surcharge, and said the crown court would be informed.
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