Teesside Crown Court heard Cole Harding was arrested in Greggs bakery in Stockton, while his business partner Calvin Eastwood was apprehended on the high street on October 22 last year
A man was arrested in a Greggs bakery after refusing to “lift his tongue” for police.
Cole Harding was arrested in Greggs in Stockton, while his drug dealer partner Calvin Eastwood was apprehended on October 22, 2024. The pair were selling drugs on the high street when Harding rushed into the fast-food chain. They were taken to the police station and strip-searched when Harding refused to “lift his tongue”, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Six wraps of crack cocaine, with a street value of £90, fell out of his mouth seconds later. He was also found with cocaine and cash on him. Harding’s phone showed that he had been messaging contacts about “happy hour” for “fat rocks”.
CCTV showed Eastwood going into an alleyway with another man on November 1 last year, while Harding kept guard nearby. The two were caught after numerous members of the public called to report their dealing, after seeing them sell small white packages on Stockton High Street, TeessideLive reported.
Harding, of Allegro Caravan Park, on Yarm Back Lane, Stockton, and Eastwood, of the town’s Centenary Crescent, both pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine between September and November of last year. Harding admitted possession of a class A drug with intent to supply; and possessing criminal property. Harding has previous convictions for the possession of cocaine, cannabis and temazepam. Eastwood has convictions for the possession of cocaine and pregabalin.
The duo appeared in court on video link from Holme House prison, where they have been held on remand. Harding’s barrister Paul Abrahams accepted that his client was “more involved than his co-accused” but said that Harding was selling drugs to fund his own habit. “This is not what he expected of his life,” Mr Abrahams continued. “He wants to better himself and take a scaffolding course when he leaves prison.”
The court heard that Harding experienced a “disruptive childhood where he was passed from pillar to post” – resulting in mental health difficulties. For Eastwood, barrister Gary Wood told the court that his client was dealing to fund his own cocaine habit; but that he is taking a construction course in prison “to help him get a job when he is released.” Judge Nicholas Lumley jailed Harding for five years and one month, and Eastwood for three years.
