Bodged-revenge thug returned to court to answer drug dealing charge

Jamie Morrell was jailed for 57 months earlier this year after he smashed his way into a house on Broad Lane in South Elmsall armed with a Samurai sword and starter pistol looking for a man who thought had burgled his home.

Morrell was returned to Leeds Crown Court today where he admitted two additional charges for possessing drugs with an intent to supply and acquiring criminal property - more than £21,700 in cash.

Prosecuting, Heather Gilmore told the court that when police visited Morrell's Holme Rise home in connection with the revenge attack they found 13 cannabis plants around the property including in the fridge, in a cupboard and some on a coffee table. A total of 1.18kg was found with a street value of more than £11,800

They also found a total of £21,725 in bank notes around the property, which was seized.

The court was told that Morrell, 35, and who appeared via video link from HMP Wealstun near Wetherby, had previous convictions linked to drugs, including convictions for dealing in 2009 and production of cannabis in 2011.

Marcus Waite, mitigating for Morrell, said: "The defendant does say that he dealt solely in cannabis, he dealt to adults exclusively, he did not touch Class A drugs or get involved with stolen goods.

"He does say that a certain amount of the cash was money that he had saved up legally over the years by doing odd jobs, but a significant amount was from dealing."

In response, Judge Penelope Belcher told Morrell: "While you make the point of not being involved in Class A drugs, don't kid yourself that this is not serious. Any drug dealing is serious."

She jailed him for a further eight months, on top of the 57 months he received in March for the incident on Broad Lane on November 6 last year.

That night Morrell had armed himself and broke into the property believing the man who lived there had burgled his home. The terrified man was able to escape through an upstairs windows while an enraged Morrell shouted at the man's partner and son.

Morrell went onto admit aggravated burglary, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.