21-year-old Brandon Atkins, who was found to be dealing drugs on the Isle of Wight after a 15-year-old boy overdosed, has been jailed for 4 years.
Police were called on 22nd June this year following reports that a teenage boy had been hospitalised after taking various drugs.
Enquiries led officers to Brandon Atkins, who was arrested on 30th June. Examination of mobile phones seized by Police indicated he had been supplying illegal substances.
The 21-year-old, of no fixed address, was subsequently charged with offences including being concerned in the supply of Class A and Class B drugs.
Appearing at Isle of Wight Crown Court on 2nd August this year, he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of ketamine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession of cannabis.
Atkins appeared at the same court on Wednesday (1st December), where he was jailed for 4 years for the offences.
The court heard that Atkins was unemployed and had been dealing to fund his own drug habit.
Recorder Paul Garlick QC accepted that the teenager had been hospitalised after taking Xanax, and not as a result of the drugs supplied by Atkins, but nonetheless made clear that selling drugs to the child was an aggravating factor when passing the 4 year sentence.
Following the hearing, PC Mat Rumsey said:
“Drug dealing causes misery to our communities and is often linked to serious harm and the exploitation on children.
“This was a serious case in which Atkins sold drugs to a child. Atkins was swiftly brought before the courts and I am pleased that he has now been given a prison sentence for his actions.
“I am very grateful to the East Cowes community who provided us with the invaluable information about issues in their area that assisted us with our investigation into Atkins.
“We encourage anyone who has information about drug dealing to please report this to us. Every small piece of information you provide helps us build up a bigger picture of the problem so we can take action and target the dealers responsible.”
Hampshire Constabulary would like to hear from anyone who believes drug-related activity is taking place in their local area. Contact Police on 101 or make a report 100% anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Spotting the signs
Some common signs of drug dealing and County Lines activity to look out for include:
- An increase in visitors/cars to a house or flat
- Regularly changing residents
- When you see the occupant, they may appear anxious or distracted
- Substance misuse or drugs paraphernalia in the vicinity of a property
- Changes in young people, for example having new unaffordable things, going missing or unexplained injuries.
ALL pay as you go phones should be banned now.
As drug dealers use such so as not to be traced as could happen IF your phone bill is linked to a bank account to pay such.
As everyone has banks accounts there is no need to have pay as you go now.
Whilst it is useful for childrens phones it only adds another level of cover for those involved in crime.
Filth like this need jailing for far longe But imo, the idiots ‘taking’ it, even IF 15 need to be sent to a correction institution as THEY are ‘not innocent’ either, for NEITHER could survive without the other.
Why ban payg phones this scum would still deal these terrible substances.
I have a payg phone & don’t & won’t deal.
Window dressing.
We local residents have repeatedly reported drug dealing going on in West Wight and the fact that children were becoming users.We have continually been ignored over the last couple of years – nothing is ever done to intervene.
Dealers go round on motorbikes and the smell pervades the village throughout. A lot of information has been passed to the Police, but they never actually challenge the youths involved – so we gave up months ago.
Apparently the Police regard drug dealing as petty crime and low priority..
Police not listen?? Don’t believe it
What scum, should get more than 4 years will re-offend without doubt.
It’s just an apprenticeship for them
Hopefully the Police will be able to trace back up the line, I’d give him another two years unless he disclosed who supplied him.
How likely are the Police to do anything more ? In all probability the only reason this dealer was investigated and prosecuted was as a result of the teenager overdosing and ending up in hospital. – As a result they had little choice but to do something.
Residents such as myself are so disenchanted with the Police, we have repeatedly made the effort to report what is going on, only to be continually ignored.
The dealers are still going round here every evening, as the Police well know. Makes you wonder why they are turning a blind eye…
good good good, another scum bag off the streets.
By the looks of him, he took more than he sold.
Wow such a pathetic little boy. Judge a book by its cover and it certainly does work here!. It’s laughable this little prick exists!. Don’t drop the soap you little wet blanket.
Looking at him, reminds me of the film ‘Deliverance’ anyone else hear banjo music?
Loads of dealers on the island causing death and misery, I’ve reported a big time dealer that uses his Newport shop as an outlet on a number of occasions but he’s still walking the streets and selling his cr#p
I’ll never understand why someone who has a criminal lifestyle would choose to have tattoos, especially on their face and neck. All a witness has to do is say ‘he has a star and teardrop tattooed on his face’. Daft, helps the police to identify someone immediately.
We all knew he would turn out like this look at the family.
4 years only for all the misery and suffering he has caused to families of users and those affected by administration of the drugs who were not users. He must be laughing his head off as he will probably be out in 18 months max.