Jailed drug dealer asks mother to 'take the rap'

Liam Coles, 27, admitted possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs

A drug dealer who splashed out on designer clothes tried to blame his mother when police found 180g of cocaine in his car by yelling, "Come on, take the rap for me".

Liam Coles of Byrds Farm Lane, Saffron Walden, Essex, admitted possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The 27-year-old was jailed for four years and 10 months on 21 October.

The court heard that after he was arrested at his home in January, he turned to his mother and asked if the drugs belonged to her before telling her to take the blame. Officers also found £36,000 at the property.

Essex Police said the comments made by Coles to his mother "proved key in identifying him as the owner of the vehicle".

Officers initially found the cocaine in his car before a further search by a police dog uncovered cannabis, electronic scales covered in white powder and a large sum of cash.

In the boot of the car, a large quantity of small plastic bags, typically used to package drugs, were also discovered.

Police had a warrant to search the address and found £685 was found stashed inside a coat.

About £36,000 was recovered from a safe and high value items including a Rolex watch, designer trainers, bags and clothes, were also seized.

An Essex Police spokesperson added: "We are pursuing proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to confiscate and recover any of his [Coles] criminal gains."

Insp Philip Jackson, said: "Drug offences impact communities and fuel wider offending, so intelligence from the public is vital to direct resources where they need to go."