A ‘hardworking’ dad who turned to drug dealing out of ‘greed’ has been jailed for over two years, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Police found £20,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis at Richard Healey’s family home as well as £15,000 in cash.
He lived there with his two young children and his partner - an intensive care nurse.
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Rachel Faux, prosecuting, told the court that a ‘large quantity’ of drugs was found in the master bedroom, en suite, and utility room of the property.
A mobile telephone was also found - linking Healey, 36, to ‘street level drug deals’, the court heard.
The court also heard that designer watches were found at the property and that Healey, now of Rydal Mount, Stockport, owned a Mercedes.
It was argued by the defending barrister that Healey was dealing drugs because he was grieving.
But the judge said this was ‘madness’.
“It’s Class A drugs,” he said.
Healey did not admit the offences to begin with but still entered pleas at an ‘early opportunity’, Simon Blakebrough, defending, told the court.
Mr Blakebrough said that Healey is remorseful and that he has now ‘turned his life around’.
“Various friends and others speak very highly of him,” the defence said.
The afternoon of his sentencing, Healey told his barrister how he had recently saved someone who was about to jump off a bridge, the court heard.
“He made a terrible error of judgement led by greed,” Mr Blakebrough said.
His Honour Judge Mark Savill said that the defendant was a ‘intelligent young man’ with a ‘healthy and thriving young family’.
He said that Healey started selling drugs to ‘support’ his ‘own habit’ and that he then became ‘seduced by greed and financial reward’.
“You took a chance for that reason and unfortunately you’ve been caught,” he said.
He said that drug dealing leads to stealing, addition, misery and ultimately, death.
The court heard that Healey had started a new career in construction after he lost his job at an engineering company as a result of the court case.
“It’s not everybody that does that when you’ve got the prospect of immediate custody over your head,” he said.
Judge Savill said that Healey plays a significant role in the upbringing of his two young children.
“You have most of all them them down and one day you will have to explain your behaviour to them,” he said.
He has been jailed for 27 months for possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He will serve concurrent sentences for possession with intent to supply a Class B drug and possession of criminal property.
A proceeds of crime hearing will take place on November 19.
