Crack cocaine and heroin dealer bragged “can't stop, won't stop”

Thomas Corlett was found to be in possession of crack cocaine and heroin worth substantial sums when dealt to users in Warrington.

The 34-year-old, who is no stranger to the courts, was the ‘controller’ of a county line ensuring a steady supply of illegal substances in the town.

But his illicit enterprise was dismantled by police, with the defendant now locked up behind bars.

Corlett appeared before Liverpool Crown Court, via video link from HMP Altcourse, after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possessing criminal property and failing to provide a sample for analysis.

The court heard from prosecutor Christopher Taylor how a police operation identified Corlett as the ‘controller’ of the ‘BB Line’.

Regular drug users in Warrington were alerted to the availability of crack cocaine and heroin through ‘flare’ text messages from a Nokia ‘burner’ phone.

This occurred on ‘almost a daily basis between February 20 and March 6 this year, the court heard.

These encouraged users to "get your orders in", and in one message, Corlett said: “On as always. Can't stop, won't stop.”

On March 12, the defendant was seen leaving an address in the Skelmersdale area and entering a van, which was stopped by police and saw officers recover three mobile phones.

The property was searched by police, and this recovered an estimated £6,170 worth of crack cocaine, around £2,220 worth of cocaine, £6,180 in cash, a motorbike and a small quantity of cannabis.

He was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court

He was interviewed by officers and made ‘refreshingly full and detailed admissions’ surrounding running the drugs line.

He admitted to ‘picking on vulnerable persons for his own personal gain’ but told police that he was being paid £150 a day to control the graft phone.

Mr Taylor revealed to the court Corlett’s seven previous convictions for eight offences, which include periods of imprisonment.

Past crimes include robbery and possession of a blade, offering to supply cannabis, assault, perverting the course of justice, dangerous driving and making threats with a blade.

Gary Lawrenson, defending, spoke of his client’s difficult upbringing and the fact that Corlett ‘feels mentally and physically better in prison’.

Before sentencing, judge Anil Murray said: "You have got previous convictions for serious offences.

“You were running this phone line for about three weeks. You were identified as the controller.

"You said it was not your operation, and the prosecution accept that. I have taken into account your personal issues.

“You had a difficult upbringing, I accept that, but you are 34 now, and you need to start making your own decisions that are not based on the past.

"You need to start to change yourself, otherwise you are going to find yourself serving a life sentence by instalments, because the sentences are going to get longer and longer."

Corlett, of Duxford Court in Padgate, was sentenced to three years in prison, and said: “Thank you your honour,” after the sentence was handed down to him.