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JMU STUDENT SENTENCED OVER DRUGS STASH

By James Cree ⋅ March 15, 2008 ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

A Liverpool John Moores student was sentenced to eight years in a young offenders institution yesterday, after admitting being in possession of drugs and cash worth over £320,000. The discovery was made by shocked cleaners at Atlantic Point halls of residence when he failed to clear out his room at the end of term. Officers later identified heroin and crack cocaine, some up to 94% pure, with a street value of around £270,000.

Twenty-year-old Joseph Jenkins, admitted to two counts of possessing class A drugs with the intent to supply.

The Judge at Liverpool Crown Court said he feared Jenkins was one of many students being targeted by gangs to harbour drugs and cash. ‘Intelligent, potentially trustworthy university undergraduates going about their studies in university accommodation are very good targets for criminals to use as warehouse men.’

Although this kind of action is uncommon, the tough sentence is likely to act as a deterrent to others thinking of getting involved in gangs to make some quick cash to pay off their debts.