A JURY has cleared a DJ of being a drug dealer after accepting his explanation of why he had bags of drugs and almost £10,000 cash in his bedroom.
Rickki-Lee Grabham-Smith, 19, had insisted the cocaine and cannabis were for his personal use only during his trial at Basildon Crown Court this week.
He had denied possessing and supplying cocaine and cannabis.
It took the jury just hours to return a verdict yesterday of not guilty in relation to charges of intending to supply cocaine and cannabis, although they did find him guilty of possessing the two drugs. In summing up, Recorder Willers had told the jury police believed the large amount of money found in Grabham-Smith's possession, coupled with the three joints and 13 bags of cannabis he had, were proof he was not only using, but also dealing.
Grabham-Smith had insisted the large chunk of cash was money his grandfather had lent him to help him upgrade his car.
Recorder Willers said the jury had heard from Grabham-Smith's grandfather who confirmed the money was a loan and that he was simply trying to help his grandson.
He had pointed out, while giving evidence, that he would never have given his grandson the money if he had known he was using drugs. The court heard upon finding out about Grabham-Smith's addiction, the family had urged him to seek treatment and he was now clean.
Grabham-Smith, of Ap-pleford Court, Pitsea, will reappear at Basildon Crown Court for sentencing on September 13.
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