A STALYBRIDGE man has been jailed after more than £50,000 worth of the drug spice was found by police.
Scott Lavis, of Mottram Road, was caught with the quantity when his home was raided in July 2020, along with equipment capable of making another five kilograms.
Now he has been locked up for almost three years for his role in an operation that saw the streets of Manchester flooded.
Michael Monaghan, prosecuting, told Stockport Crown Court Lavis was a ‘busy street dealer working for Joyce’ selling ‘thousands of pounds worth of drugs’,’ while also being involved in their production.
It was acknowledged the 30-year-old was under ‘pressure’ to get involved but that he ‘knew what he was doing’ with alternatives open to him.
And Lavis was also on bail for a ‘violent offence’ when he became a drug dealer in an enterprise with Jason Joyce, of Salford.
As well as receiving a sentence of two years and one month for possession of and conspiracy to supply spice, he was given 10 months for unlawful wounding and possession of a knife following a fight around 1pm in Ashton town centre on June 18, 2019.
He stabbed the other man during this fight causing ‘significant injuries’, including more than 30 stitches for three different wounds.
Recorder Abigail Hudson told the court phones recovered from Lavis’ house showed Joyce was the ‘controlling mind’ of the operation ‘directing your producer and street dealer Mr Lavis.’
“The community impact of this particular drug is catastrophic, there are no other words to describe the appalling impact on those who are addicted to this particular substance,” she said.
Steve Sullivan, defending, described that ‘throughout his young life he has been beset with tragedies of a severe nature’, such as the loss of siblings and his own child.
His mother has also recently become terminally ill with his eight months in custody having a ‘bad effect’ on him.
Sentencing Lavis, Ms Hudson said he has ‘suffered an incredible amount of tragedy in his life’ but his ‘coping mechanisms are inadequate.’