North Hykeham drug dealer caught with Rolex watches jailed

Jacob Dobbs, 23, was jailed after admitting a string of drug offences

A former university student who bought two Rolex watches and a gold bar after dealing Class A drugs has been jailed.

Jacob Dobbs, 23, of Vespasian Way, North Hykeham, was caught after police carried out a search at his home in April 2023, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

Officers uncovered almost six kilos of ketamine and £83,000 in cash.

Dobbs, who previously admitted multiple offences, including possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply, was jailed for five years and three months.

The court heard Dobbs admitted acting as a "middle-man" and taking a 15% cut after he was introduced to drug dealers through his own habit.

However, his defence barrister told the court his client had been diagnosed with a personality disorder which made him prone to impulsive behaviour and vulnerable to drug dealers higher up the chain.

The court was told that Dobbs, who had achieved a place at Nottingham Trent University, had been trying to turn his life around by setting up businesses in catering and clothing at the time he was arrested.

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Hirst told Dobbs he had been given "significant credit" for this.

However, the judge warned Dobbs that this option would not be available if he returned to crime after being released.

The judge told the court Dobbs had been involved in a "sophisticated operation" to move cash acquired from drugs trafficking on the streets of Lincoln.

"I am satisfied through all of this you had an operational role and expected financial gain," he added.

The court previously heard that Dobbs first came to the attention of police in October 2018 when he was stopped with 15g (0.5oz) of ecstasy. A further 151g (5oz) of ecstasy was intercepted after being sent to his then address from Holland.

At that time Dobbs was aged 17, the court was told.

He was later caught with just under 250g (9oz) of cocaine after he was stopped on a second occasion and found to be in possession of a Rolex watch worth £6,250.

Dobbs bought two Rolex watches and travelled to Dubai where a gold bar was purchased in his name

Following his arrest, analysis of his mobile phone linked Dobbs to the sale of 1.2kg (2.6lb) of cocaine, 1,139 ecstasy tablets, 737g (26oz) of cannabis and 30 boxes of nitrous oxide.

Police also recovered vacuum bags and a set of scales containing traces of cocaine and ketamine from Dobbs' address and a second Rolex watch, which was valued at between £5,000 and £7,000.

The court heard Dobbs had also made a trip to Dubai and a gold bar was purchased in his name.

Dobbs admitted possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of ecstasy on a date during 2018.

In addition, he admitted three offences of acquiring or possessing criminal property, possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply and supplying cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis and nitrous oxide.

Dobbs also admitted supplying around a kilo of ketamine, but maintained he was having to store the six kilos found at his home for others higher up the chain.

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