Man caught selling M-Cat drug from boot of his car

Elliott Neal, of Cowpes Close, was seen in the car park behind a pub on Clumber Street, selling what is commonly known as M-Cat, a highly-addictive stimulant, said to have a similar effect to cocaine.

“The footage shows him receiving cash from unknown males, going to the boot of his car and handing them something,” Siward James-Moore, prosecuting, told Nottingham Crown Court.

“After such suspicious activity, police officers were dispatched to the scene and found small deal-bags of white powder in a tupperware box, scales and a teaspoon.”

Joiner Neal was arrested, admitted dealing and pleaded guilty in court to charges of possessing the drug with intent to supply and also supplying it on Sunday, December 13 last year.

It was revealed that Neal had received a caution for possessing M-Cat only the previous year, and the judge, Recorder Nigel Daly, told him: “The usual sentence would be immediate custody.”

However, he refrained after reading glowing references that were handed to the court from his employer, his mother and a close friend.

His employer, a joinery firm, described him as “a very hard-working, committed and ambitious individual”. His pal, Lee Young, described him as “a loyal and caring friend who has been badly affected by this situation”. And his mother told of how “disappointed, shocked and saddened” she was on hearing news of his arrest.

“This whole episode has been a huge lesson to him,” said Neal’s barrister, Stephen Cobley.

“He and his partner, who is in court to support him, used the drug when out socialising. He saw this opportunity to get his drugs more cheaply and make a modest profit.

“But since his arrest, they have changed their ways. There has been no offending since, and he is determined to avoid drug use.

“He has a network of family and friends who have stood by him. He has stable employment and accommodation with his mother.”

The judge sentenced Neal to nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work in the community over the next year. He was also placed on an electronically-monitored curfew between 7.30pm and 6am for three months.

“The caution you received last year should have been a wake-up call,” said Recorder Daly. “I have read the references and it is quite clear that you are a hard-working man doing well, apart from this.”