A COURT has heard how a drunk drug peddler offered cannabis to an off-duty police officer at a family fair.
The officer, who was visiting Todmorden Country Fair with others on June 24, 2023, heard a commotion and saw Mark McWhir shouting and swearing as he sat on the ground.
He told McWhir to calm down as it was a family event and there were children around who could hear his language.
McWhir complied but then asked the officer if he “smoked dope”.
Despite the officer demurring McWhir showed him a bag filled with cannabis and asked if he wanted some. The officer declined, but McWhir then asked if any of his friends wanted the drug.
As three police officers approached McWhir tried to hide the bag of cannabis and then said: “I don’t buy drugs from anyone. I supply them.”
McWhir was searched and found to have several grip-seal bags of cannabis. He was then arrested and cautioned.
He said the cannabis was for personal use, that it wasn’t his, and that he was holding it for a friend.
When his home was searched, police found further cannabis in large trays, containers, and in labelled jars, as well as paraphernalia.
In total, there was 269g of the drug with an estimated value of up to £2,695. In an interview McWhir gave “no comment” answers.
He later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class B drug and offering to supply.
Bradford Crown Court heard McWhir, 51, and formerly of Orchan Road, Todmorden, had 15 convictions for 26 offences, including for possession of cannabis and being drunk and disorderly.
McWhir was said to have had an operational role by selling direct to users with a clear expectation of significant financial advantage.
Mitigating, Harry Crowson said McWhir’s life had been marked by drinking, which he used as a coping mechanism. He said there was further work to be done to tackle his alcohol abuse and urged the court to impose a suspended sentence.
Describing McWhir’s behaviour at the family fair as “quite objectionable” Ms Recorder Ella Anderson sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
She said his direct street dealing was significantly aggravated by his presence at a family fair.
She told McWhir, who admitted being heavily intoxicated on the day: “You clearly have a difficult relationship with alcohol” and ordered him to take part in a nine-month alcohol treatment programme and to undertake 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
She added: “You need to understand this is a prison sentence. It is just that you do not have to serve it immediately.
“This is an opportunity … for your benefit as well as for that of society.”
She ordered the forfeiture of the drugs and paraphernalia.
