Vulnerable man avoids jail after drug gang took over his home and bullied him into selling cocaine
A vulnerable man whose home was taken over by drugs gangs who bullied him into selling cocaine and cannabis to clear his own drug debts has avoided a jail sentence.
Robert Bebb was as much a victim as he was a criminal, Judge Jonathan Gosling said.
“I have no doubt at all that this defendant would be in danger in prison.” he added.
Bebb, 29, formerly of Mereside, Shrewsbury, pleaded guilty to two charges of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and in the supply of cannabis. The charges covered a period from 2014 to 2017.
At Shrewsbury Crown Court he was given a community order to include 200 hours unpaid work in the community.
Judge Gosling said he wanted to make it plain that Bebb had given no assistance to the authorities.
Mr Dean Easthope, prosecuting, said Bebb had sold drugs in Shrewsbury for some time up to February 2017.
For Bebb, Mr Paul Smith, said the defendant has Asperger's syndrome, and his parents had gone through a terrible time, living under constant threats and fear.
They had received threats and had repaid their son’s debts in the past. Bebb had to flee his home and had been threatened that he would be attacked in prison.
Exploited
Judge Gosling said Bebb was an extremely vulnerable man who had a personality disorder and Asperger's.
“He has been exploited over a long period of time and controlled by others of whom his is fearful. His property was taken over – known as cuckooing – and he carried out tasks he was told to do in return for small amounts of cash or drugs,” he said.
“He was trapped and lost his autonomy and is at least as much a victim as his is a criminal.”
The judge said that because of the wholly exceptional circumstances he would not be sending Bebb to prison.
He urged the probation and mental health services to work together saying the defendant had great mental fragility.
“His rehabilitation can not begin until his mental health is addressed.”
