Man reports caravan park attack – then police notice a pungent smell – Hull Live

A hard-up drug addict who complained about being attacked at a caravan park landed himself in big trouble when suspicious police investigators immediately noticed the pungent smell of cannabis on him.

They searched Ryan Carr and found a large bag of cannabis on him and also discovered stashes of cocaine and Ecstasy in the caravan where he had been living. Later the same month, Carr and a drug-dealing accomplice were again found with drugs after they were spotted in the back of a vehicle at the same caravan site, Hull Crown Court heard.

Carr, 33, of Ryecroft Drive, Withernsea, admitted possessing cocaine, Ecstasy and cannabis with intent to supply and possessing £360 cash as criminal property. Ryan Bell, 21, of Owthorne Walk, Withernsea, admitted possessing cocaine, Ecstasy and Ketamine with intent to supply and possessing £1,070 as criminal property.

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Sean Smith, prosecuting, said that Carr went to the office of the caravan park in Tunstall, where he had been living, on February 5, 2020, to report that he had been assaulted. Police were alerted and they smelled cannabis on Carr.

A large bag of cannabis was found on him. Stashes of cocaine and Ecstasy were found in his caravan. He later claimed that he had been threatened by others. Messages were found on his mobile phone relating to drug dealing.

Ryan Bell, 21, of Hawthorne Walk, Withernsea

On February 28, 2020, police were called to the same caravan site because of concerns about someone visiting Carr. He and Bell were found in the back of a vehicle. A bag was found containing two separate bags of cocaine, valued at £1,120, and two bags and two pills of Ecstasy, valued at £1,000, as well as cannabis, worth £40, in a box.

Carr had £360 cash and Bell had £1,170. Bell’s home was searched and Ketamine, valued at £10, was found.

Bell had previous convictions, including being locked up for eight weeks in April this year for breaching a community order imposed for harassment following an earlier suspended sentence. Carr had no previous convictions.

Stephen Robinson, mitigating, said that Carr led a mainly blameless and productive life for his first 30 years but he later lost his job and suffered problems. “He tried to cope with his problem inappropriately through drug misuse,” said Mr Robinson. “Having a habit to a number of different drugs, he sought to pay for that in an entirely inappropriate way. He willingly agreed to sell drugs to make money.

“Trouble at the caravan saw police come to see what was happening and they located drugs. He has stopped taking Class A drugs. He still takes cannabis. He has put behind him the most serious drug misuse.

“He is sorry for what he has done. It’s not just self-pity. It’s some awareness of what he has done. He has ruined his life by virtue of this behaviour. He has committed no further offences since.”

Carr, 33, of Ryecroft Drive, Withernsea, admitted possessing cocaine, Ecstasy and cannabis with intent to supply

Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, representing Bell, said that he “fell into the wrong hands” and started to use drugs. “Before long, he had a significant drug habit,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan. “He turned to the selling of drugs.”

Drugs ruined lives and they had a significant impact on Bell and his family life. Being locked up earlier in the year was a turning point for Bell and he began to tackle his addiction and to leave old acquaintances behind. He was a self-employed builder but deliberately worked away from the Hull area to stay away from possible trouble or drugs.

“The defendant has not committed any further offending,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan.

Carr was given a 23-month suspended prison sentence, 280 hours’ unpaid work, 20 days’ rehabilitation and a three-month tagged monitoring order.

Bell was jailed for two years and two months because he had previously been given a chance but had breached a court order. The cash seized will be forfeited and given to the St Paul’s boxing academy charity, Hull.

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