A south Essex drug dealer has walked free on a suspended sentence after a two-year delay in bringing his case to court.
Daniel Worswick, 33, of Great Ranton, Pitsea, was on licence over previous Class A drug dealing charges when Essex Police caught him back at it.
But police and prosecutors then took just under two years to summons him to court over it.
The delay meant charges could not be brought over two weapons found when police raided his home – a samurai sword and a spiked keyring – as the law said charges over those items had to be brought within six months.
Worswick claimed in court the weapons belonged to his stepfather.
As Worswick had not been arrested for any further offences during the unexplained delay, his defence was also able to argue he presented a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
In October 2021, Worswick was handed a three-year prison sentence for being involved in the trafficking of heroin and crack cocaine.
He was on licence from that sentence when, on February 17 2024, Essex Police raided his home and found him once again dealing drugs.
Officers recovered cannabis with a street value of up to £485, plus drug dealing paraphernalia like scales and deal bags.
They also found a phone which, when analysed, contained evidence Worswick had been dealing cannabis and cocaine.
The phone contained not only drug dealing messages but also a tick list of customers and how much they owed.
But the authorities then failed issue Worswick a court summons until January 2026, with his first appearance at magistrates’ court occurring in March this year.
He pleaded guilty when his case got to Basildon Crown Court, but submitted a “basis of plea” document saying he had been dealing to service his own drugs habit and debt, buying for himself but then selling on to associates when he didn’t use.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) accepted that basis of plea.
Recorder Oliver Campbell KC sentenced Worswick to 27 months, suspended for two years.
“There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation here,” he said, adding that a prison term would affect Worswick’s mother and partner, “for whom you have caring responsibilities.”
Worswick, currently living on Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance, was ordered to spend six months wearing a GPS tag, complete 40 rehabilitation days, undergo a 12-month mental health treatment programme, and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
“Given your previous conviction for previous drug offences, that might be regarded by some as a lenient conclusion to reach,” said Recorder Campbell.
“So you must, Mr Worswick, take this as effectively a last opportunity to turn your life around.
“Should you commit any further offences in the future, particularly drug-related offences, you cannot expect to receive such sympathy from the court in future.”
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