DRUG DAD WEPT AS JUDGE JAILED HIM

A devoted dad is today behind bars after turning to dodgy drug dealing
loansharks to borrow money for his family holiday.

James Rawlings, who had been made redundant, took a UKP1,000 loan from
gangsters so he could buy a car after the lift to a family break for
him, his partner and two young children fell through.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard when the 33-year-old had trouble
meeting the payments, he was ordered to safehouse more than six kilos
of cannabis to settle the debt.

Police found the UKP5,000 haul when they raided his home in August last
year.

Rawlings, of Pennymore Square, Pennywell, who has never been in
trouble before, admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

He wept uncontrollably in the dock as he was jailed for 15
months.

Judge Guy Whitburn told him: "I take into account and give you credit
for your early plea of guilty.

"But I cannot overlook this matter in any way whatsoever.

"Drug dealers need people like you to store drugs for them and you
knew what sort of person you were borrowing the money from."

The court heard Rawlings and his family had organised a lift to their
holiday with pals who ended up selling their car before the trip.

Michael Hodson, defending, told the court: "He was made redundant
immediately before they were due to go on holiday with friends.

"The friends had the vehicle that was going to take them, a
jeep.

"That friend sold or got rid of the jeep and told this defendant he
had to take his family in his car, not that he had one.

"He took this completely ridiculous decision, thinking he would be
able to repay.

"It was a fit of complete madness, with hindsight he realises how
appallingly he has behaved."

The court heard the cannabis, which was spit into wholesale "nine
bars" had been delivered to Rawlings in a cardboard box and stored in
a washroom.

He told police he had been looking after the haul for just a few day
and had expected to hand it back to the dealer in a fortnight.