A DRUG dealer, who took over a vulnerable man’s address in Coleford in an episode of ‘cuckooing’, has been jailed for 50 months.

Prosecutor Ken Bell told Gloucester Crown Court that 24-year-old Liam Scully was arrested at a ‘vulnerable’ person’s address in Bank Street, Coleford on August 31 this year.

The victim was too scared to approach the police station but was prepared to speak to a local Police Community Support Officer and from there immediate action was taken by the force.

Mr Bell described Scully’s take over of the flat as ‘cuckooing’ which led to the Coleford man being hospitalised after the ordeal.

The crime is named for the cuckoo’s practice of taking over other birds’ nests for its young and is associated strongly with the County Lines drugs controversy that has become prevalant across Britain recently.

Scully, of Eva Turner Close, Whitchurch, Bristol, admitted possession of heroin and cocaine in both powder and ‘crack’ form with intent to supply.

Mr Bell said that, in Scully’s pockets, police found 43 ‘wraps’ of cocaine and ten of heroin, both class A drugs.

The prosecutor gave an estimated value of £1,000 for the drugs and found another £1,440 in cash on Scully.

Telephone evidence gave a ‘strong indication’ that Scully was running a so-called ‘County Lines’ drug supply operation, he said.

Defence lawyer, Jason Coulter said: “Scully does not strike me as being of the usual mould of those that involve themselves in this type of offending.”

The prosecutor said that, in 2016, Scully received a suspended jail term for the same offence.

The court heard that when Scully’s phone was analysed, police found him bragging to a friend that, if he was busted again, he would trot out the same excuses he gave last time.

His friend warned him: “That will only work once.”

FULL STORY IN THE FORESTER