A drug dealer who left a toddler he was meant to be looking after home alone while he sold drugs has been jailed for three years.
Officers were not surprised to find five wraps of heroin and six of crack cocaine on Shamel Sudeene-Darien when they stopped him on suspicion of dealing in Horsham town centre in January.
But when they searched his rental flat they made a more unexpected discovery – a young toddler alone in the flat, along with drugs, cash weapons and other hazards including an unlocked roof balcony.
A safe place was found for the toddler, and Sudeene-Darien, of Rosewell Close, London, was charged with nine offences.
These included possession of class A drugs with intent to supply (namely heroin and crack cocaine), being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, possession of an offensive weapon in public (namely a screwdriver), and child neglect.
At Lewes Crown Court on March 11, he was sentenced to a total of three years in prison.
The court was told how the officers who first searched Sudeene-Darien also found a screwdriver, and a burner mobile phone linked to County Lines drug dealing.
The subsequent search of an address found £1,000 in cash, and 154 wraps of crack cocaine found in a black glove.
His phones also showed further evidence that he was supplying drugs in the area.
Speaking after the case, Detective Inspector Rebecca Hopkins said: “Officers carried out a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and found evidence that Sudeene-Darien was working as part of a County Lines drugs group in Horsham.
“The further search was concerning because a toddler in his care had been left alone in a rented address.
“There were hazards in the address which included access to an unlocked rooftop balcony, uncovered electrical sockets, and loose wires from a television and lamp.
“Most worryingly, there were also wraps of class A drugs in the property that would be easily swallowable for a young child.
“There was no accessible food or water for the child, overall it was not a safe place for the child to be in.
“Officers acted professionally to ensure the child was appropriately safeguarded while Sudeene-Darien was in custody.
“This case shows our determination to disrupt County Lines drugs groups who cause harm in our communities.
“We are pleased that because of our investigation, Sudeene-Darien had no choice but to plead guilty when presented with the evidence in court.”
