Drug-dealing footballer ordered to give up nearly £11,000 proceeds

A FOOTBALLER who was caught with a huge stash of drugs for dealing will have £10,900 worth of his assets confiscated.

Jude Nwachukwu (25) was hit with an order under the Proceeds of Crime Act when he appeared before Southampton Crown Court.

As reported by the A&T, Nwachukwu originally appeared before the court in March and pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to supply £12,500 worth of cannabis.

The judge imposed a two-year prison term, but suspended it for two years.

The sentencing hearing was told Nwachukwu was arrested in May 2018 after police stopped his car in Southampton and discovered numerous bags of cannabis as well as £800 in cash.

During a subsequent search of his flat in the city officers discovered a stash of the class B drug and £8,500 in a safe box.

Just hours after the hearing at which he avoided jail Nwachukwu played for Brockenhurst’s first team in a Sydenhams Wessex League clash.

However, the club later suspended him and claimed it had not known about the court case or punishment imposed.

It did not clarify whether it had launched an investigation and it is not known if Nwachukwu is back at the club now for its 2019-20 pre-season campaign.

Officials from the Sydenhams Wessex League had told the A&T they would investigate whether it can impose any sanctions on Nwachukwu, who lives in East Sussex.

Chairman Ian Hoare this week said Nwachukwu was not currently registered to play for any club in the league so it could not take any action.