Drug dealer jailed for attacking uncle
- Published
Wayne Cushing admitted two offences
A drug dealer who attacked his uncle in a family dispute has been jailed for more than two years.
Wayne Cushing, 33, was banned from contacting his uncle when he went to a house and repeatedly punched him on 16 June, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
He was already under police investigation after being caught selling cocaine, the court heard.
Cushing admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply.
Prosecutor Ian West said Cushing attacked his uncle after the victim disputed who the 33-year-old's real father was.
Despite being prohibited from contacting his uncle after a previous incident, Cushing and another man went to the victim's house and accosted him.
The uncle was punched repeatedly around the head but "fortunately" was not seriously injured, Mr West said.
At the time of the attack Cushing was under investigation for dealing drugs which stemmed from police finding a small wrap of cocaine on a man they caught leaving Kendal House in Byker on 10 March 2022.
'Extremely sorry'
Officers went to a flat in Kendal House where they found Cushing and, when they asked him if he had any drugs, he replied "you find them".
The officers discovered 17 wraps of 92% cocaine with an estimated street value of £170, Mr West said.
The court heard he had numerous convictions dating back to childhood, including a jail term for wounding somebody when he was 17.
In mitigation, Rachel Hedworth said Cushing had had a "traumatic childhood" and had been introduced to drugs at an early age.
She said he was addicted to drugs and was "extremely sorry for his behaviour".
Judge Recorder Andrew Latimer said Cushing was selling drugs over a two month period to pay off a debt to a dealer.
He said Cushing had "absolutely no excuse" for the violence against his uncle which left the man with a bruised face and injured knee.
Cushing, of no fixed abode, was jailed for 19 months for the drugs offence and 37 weeks for the assault to be served consecutively.
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