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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Andrew Bardsley

Dad who turned to drug dealing stashed almost £200k in 'cops and robbers' fruit machine at his mum's... and at the home he shared with his kids

A dad who turned to drug dealing to support his family stashed tens of thousands pounds in the house he shared with his children and in a 'cops and robbers' fruit machine at his mum's.

Cocaine dealer Anthony Stephenson hid almost £200,000 in the two properties.

More than half of the huge sum was found at his mum's house, in a 'cops and robbers' gambling machine and a washing basket.

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Stephenson, 34, complained that he couldn't get a job and of financial problems while claiming benefits, and instead resorted to crime.

"It's difficult getting a job, it's difficult living a decent life, but your children deserve that from you and your wife deserves that from you," Judge Suzanne Goddard QC told Stephenson, as she locked him up for five years.

Police carried out a 6am raid at his family home in Eccles, Salford, where his partner and three young children were present.

Drugs were found in the top of a wardrobe in a bedroom, and in his car.

In total, cocaine worth £1,600 was seized.

Officers also found a large amount of cash stashed in the kitchen, the main bedroom, a safe and even the children's bedroom.

A total of £79,695 was recovered from his home, Manchester Crown Court heard.

After being arrested, Stephenson admitted the cash and drugs were his, and said his partner had nothing to do with it.

At the same time as the raid at his home, police also searched Stephenson's mother's home.

Within the fruit machine and a washing basket they discovered £112,500, prosecutor Joshua Bowker said.

The game on the fruit machine was called 'Bank Job', and the artwork featured a bobby with a truncheon chasing a masked bank robber.

Stephenson gave a 'no comment' interview to police.

"No explanation has been given for your possession for that amount of money," the judge said.

His barrister David Bentley said Stephenson hadn't been living a luxurious lifestyle.

"He was driving a 12-year-old car, his garden was overgrown.

"It certainly didn't appear to be used to support his lifestyle or that of his family."

Stephenson had financial problems and difficulty finding a job after being released from a previous three year jail sentence for dealing cocaine, Mr Bentley said.

"It was a vicious circle, having to disclose his previous convictions, while at the same time trying to convince an employer he was the right man for the job," the barrister said.

"He chose an easy way out.

"It seems that he was frustrated, to the point where his judgement was clearly blurred and he took the decision to involve himself in drugs once again.

"I don't advance in any way a story that bleats about his difficulties at the time, I simply do so to give it context."

Stephenson, of Westwood Crescent, Salford, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine; possession of cannabis; and possession of criminal property.

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