Keegan Cater, Canvey drug-dealer, spared prison by judge

Keegan Cater, 26, of North Avenue, crashed into a traffic island on January 31, 2023, and was then seen ditching two bags: a shopping bag and a black backpack.

The bags were later found to contain 3.29 grams of cocaine and 124.6 grams of cannabis, with a combined street value of up to £1,075.

He was also carrying £714.57.

Southend Crown Court heard on Wednesday (September 10) that Keegan admitted being a “runner”.

He had previous convictions for wounding in 2021 and possessing cannabis, ketamine and a prohibited weapon in 2022.

He had already been sentenced for careless driving and driving without insurance over the moped crash.

Defence barrister Jack Coyne said Cater was a rare example of somebody who had fallen into drug-dealing despite not being a user himself.

“He felt like he wasn’t earning enough to support his family at the time,” he said. “He found himself wanting to make a bit of extra money on the side.

“He entirely regrets that. He is ashamed. He realises the impact of drugs on society… He tells me he was being selfish and putting himself first, before anyone else.”

He said his client had already paid a steep price for the moped crash, as he suffered serous injuries which left him unable to work.

He suffered a broken pelvis and shoulder, shattered bones in his right hand and snapped tendons in his arm, said the lawyer.

“He still has damaged nerves in his arms,” he said. “He can’t really lift of carry heavy items with his hands.”

The judge, Recorder Ben Irwin, described Cater as “a good candidate for rehabilitation”, so sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended for 18 months.

“I have taken the view that I can give you a chance,” he said, ordering Cater to participate in rehabilitation sessions and unpaid work.

“You need to get it done,” he said. “If you don’t, you will just end up making a mug out of me. You will be back in court, in front of a different judge, and you will go to prison.”