Bungling heroin dealer caught out by his own CCTV after cops find footage of addicts visiting his flat
Hapless Steven Westwood, from Stoke-on-Trent, fitted cameras for his own security
A BUNGLING heroin dealer was caught out by his own CCTV after cops found his cameras had captured drug addicts regularly visiting his flat.
Steven Westwood, 39, fitted the security system as a safety measure and to monitor who was coming to his property in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.
But a court heard the cameras led to him being rumbled after officers studied the footage and saw he had numerous visitors each day, including known drug users.
Police raided his home on October 20 last year and found heroin on a table and in his pockets as well as 10 cannabis plants growing in the loft.
And a known addict even knocked on the door with £10 in his hand while officers were inside the flat.
On Tuesday Westwood pleaded guilty to possession of a class A drug with intent to supply and producing a class B drug.
RELATED STORIES
He was jailed for or 32 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Sentencing, Judge Paul Glenn said: "The police saw a pattern of drug users come to your flat and leave soon after.
"You are a financially motivated street dealer.
"You took a conscious decision to deal in heroin. You knew the consequences if caught."
Prosecutor Neil Ahuja said police executed a search warrant at the defendant's home and discovered the drugs on a table and in his pockets.
He added: "Police also discovered CCTV outside the property.
"They examined footage between October 12 and 20 and there were numerous visitors on numerous days."
His plea was on a basis he accepted dealing heroin for two weeks. He paid for his own heroin use from selling the drug to people who were already users.
Stuart Muldoon, defending, said: "He is disgusted and ashamed at his behaviour.
"Having had a long history of drug abuse he appreciates the problems it causes in society.
"He still uses heroin and is still prescribed methadone.
"He realises he needs to be completely free of any drug before he can move forward."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368