Accrington man thought he had'bubble' (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Accrington man thought he had'bubble'

4:37pm Saturday 4th August 2012 in News

A 26-year-old man said to have put money in the "evil trade" of drugs, has walked free from court.

Marc Watson had been found with 21 grams of what he believed was mephedrone - "bubble" - but it was a similar, class B controlled drug, known as NRG2 and which had similar effects.

Watson said half the drug, which was potentially worth £420, was for his own use and half was for a friend, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Watson, said to have a good job and to have been made physically ill by the court proceedings, was given 20 weeks in jail, suspended for a year, with 80 hours unpaid work by Judge Beverley Lunt, who told him she was not going to destroy his life.

The defendant, of Walton Street, Accrington, had admitted possessing methylethycathinone, with intent to supply. He must pay £250 costs.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said the Crown accepted the drug found on Watson, which he thought was recreational bubble, was for him and for the use of a friend. He had been tasked to obtain some drugs and would have passed some on in social supply.

Around midnight, last September 25, police saw the defendant on Spring Street, Accrington. He ran away, they gave chase and he appeared to drop something. He was arrested, the item seized and it was a bag of white powder.

Miss Statham said Watson said: "It's mine. It's bubble for my own personal use."

She added:" The Crown accepts he was going to supply to a friend and nobody else."

Daniel King, for Watson, said he had been promoted at work and the managing director reported he had pulled his socks up in the last 12 months.

The solicitor said: "These proceedings have made him physically ill. He really has learned his lesson. He will not be dabbling in controlled drugs in the future."

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt, who said she had read a "very good"vletter from his employer, told Watson he had no relevant previous convictions and had shown remorse.

The judge said the defendant had put money into an evil trade. She added: "You seem to be growing up. Let's hope that continues."