Two separate cases involving the possession and supply of cocaine have recently concluded in Hull and Grimsby, leading to varying sentences for the individuals involved.

In Grimsby, 30-year-old Jamie Sudderick, residing on Convamore Road, pleaded guilty to being concerned in supplying cocaine over a significant period, specifically between March 1 and September 22, 2023. The case was heard at Hull Crown Court, where prosecutor Julia Baggs detailed how Sudderick was apprehended by police during a traffic stop on Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, in the early hours of September 21. During the search, officers found a small bag of cocaine on him, which he claimed he had forgotten about. However, it was his mobile phone that revealed the extent of his drug dealing activity, containing thousands of messages indicating that he was actively engaged in supplying drugs.

Police managed to access the contents of Sudderick’s phone by guessing his PIN, which was his date of birth. The messages included inquiries from customers like “Jamie – are you on?” and “Are you open for business?” Baggs noted that these communications demonstrated a serious level of engagement in the narcotics trade, illustrating that “there was a clear expectation of financial reward, which was significant.” The Judge, Mark Bury, highlighted the prolific nature of Sudderick’s operations, stating, “the text messages make it clear that he was out and about more often than the ice cream man.”

Despite his extensive criminal history, which included 12 previous convictions related to drug possession, Sudderick received a two-year suspended prison sentence and was ordered to complete 220 hours of unpaid work. His defence, presented by Ellen Boyes, argued that Sudderick’s involvement in drug dealing was a direct result of his addiction and that he had taken steps towards recovery by engaging in voluntary work.

Meanwhile, in Hull, 34-year-old Shaunna Simpson faced charges after being involved in an attempted escape from police while in a car containing cocaine. On January 14, 2023, Simpson was a passenger in a black Vauxhall Astra driven aggressively by a partner who led police on a high-speed chase. During the pursuit, Simpson was instructed to discard two packages of cocaine out of the window, one of which landed on the footpath while the other fell onto the railway line.

Simpson, who admitted possession of cocaine, originally faced a more serious charge of possession with intent to supply, which was later reduced. Prosecutor Oliver Shipley recounted the events leading to her arrest, where police found the packages containing a significant amount of the drug after halting the vehicle. The driver was arrested for several offences, including dangerous driving and drug-related charges, and subsequently sentenced to nearly seven years in prison.

During the hearing, Simpson’s legal representative, Samantha Laws, stated that her client’s actions were out of character and the result of her association with the driver, asserting that she was unaware of his intentions until the police arrived. Recorder Abdul Iqbal KC addressed the seriousness of her attempt to dispose of the drugs, imposing a three-month curfew from 10 pm to 7 am and requiring her to engage in 15 days of rehabilitation.

Both cases reflect ongoing issues with drug-related crimes in the region, underscoring the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling the complexities of illegal drug trade and addiction.

Source: Noah Wire Services