Norwich speeder jailed after he admitted drugs offences

Adrian Small, 56, was stopped by police for speeding while driving a BMW car on the North Walsham Road in the early hours of the morning.

Norwich Crown Court heard the routine stop on May 18 this year unearthed a background of drugs offending after he was found with £1,410 in cash in £50 notes as well as digital scales and five mobile phones.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)John Morgans, prosecuting, said "further investigation" led police to a property in Mundesley which Small had rented "under a false name".

At that property was found a "cannabis growing room" with a total of 20 small cannabis plants in a tent as well as lighting equipment.

Mr Morgans said also found hidden in a re-sealed cornflakes box was a block of cocaine as well as £2,000 in cash and cannabis resin in a bag.

In all police found Small to have a total of £3,910 in cash.

Small, from London, appeared at court for sentence on Tuesday (September 12) having admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine, production of cannabis, possession of cannabis and possession of criminal property, namely cash.

Recorder Andrew McLoughlin said Small, who has 22 previous convictions for 13 offences, said he had an "unenviable" record and insisted 45 months was the shortest possible sentence he could impose.

Michael Clare, mitigating, said he did not seek to argue that it was not a significant role but insisted it "didn't make him some character from Miami Vice".

He insisted it was "small beer" and that he had been essentially "feeding his own habit".

The court was told he had a brain haemorrhage which was something of a life-changing experience and how he got into the "drug subculture" with him suffering some paralysis and self-medicating with drugs as a result.

Mr Clare said Small had no previous offences for drug supply and that he should receive credit for his pleas.