A south Essex man fell into crack cocaine addiction after the tragic early death of his wife, a court has heard.
Mark Goddard, 52, of Crammavill Street in Grays, pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday (January 6) to possessing cannabis and crack cocaine.
He was caught with the drugs in November 2024 but did not come before the court for sentence until early 2026.
He had pleaded guilty at magistrates’ court, as recorded in the district judge’s contemporaneous notes – but the court had then wrongly referred the charges to crown for trial instead of sentence.
As such, Judge Siew Loke said she would award Goddard “full credit” when sentencing him.
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“The crack cocaine addiction arose after the unexpected death of his wife at the age of 36,” said defence barrister Lidia Iancu.
“Mr Goddard struggled with the bereavement at the time but he is receiving support from drug agencies.
“He is in receipt of Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment (PIP). He lives in a flat which has been provided by the council.”
The lawyer said that after paying his bills for the month, her client had little left – so urged Judge Loke, if she imposed a financial penalty, to cap monthly repayments at £30.
“I’m told you are taking positive steps to address your drug habit,” the judge told Goddard.
She fined him £50 for cocaine possession, £20 for cannabis and ordered him to pay a £28 statutory victim surcharge.
He was told he could pay off the £98 total at a rate of £30 per month, as requested.
But, she said, failure to pay would result in seven days’ imprisonment.
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