'I blew it' admits football talent jailed for £30,000 drugs haul

A NEW MILTON man who was on course to become a professional footballer before becoming addicted to cannabis told a judge: “I blew it.”

Connor Robertson had won a scholarship to America through his talents on the field, but wasted the chance of a sporting career after becoming involved with drugs at the age of just 12.

Appearing at Bournemouth Crown Court, Robertson pleaded guilty to six counts of possessing £30,000 of class A and B drugs with intent to supply.

Addressing the court before he was sentenced, the 22-year-old revealed: “I could have made it. I was offered a football scholarship in America and I got all through the trials but didn’t get the exams.

“I could have gone to college and resat them, but being naïve and stupid I thought it was easier to hang out with my friends. I blew it.”

Judge William Mousley heard how 2,428 MDMA tablets, 437 grams of crystal MDMA, 47 grams of cocaine, 81 grams of ketamine and 8oz of cannabis were discovered at the defendant’s flat at Milton Green, Christchurch Road, during a police search on 3rd August 2018.

Robertson had already been arrested for possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply after police stopped his car in New Milton on 15th September 2017.

The drugs were concealed under the driver’s seat. By the time of the police search in August, Robertson had not been charged in relation to that offence.

'I could have made it'

Prosecutor Stuart Ellacott said it was accepted that Robertson was “holding” the haul found in his bedroom for someone and not dealing them himself.

Mr Ellacott said: “He was asked to look after them by a person who was dealing drugs on a large scale. He was playing a lesser role.”

Defence barrister Nicholas Robinson told the judge his client had been threatened by the drug dealer who also said he would cause harm to his family if he did not hide the drugs for him.

He said Robertson’s crime had arisen out of the defendant’s addiction to cannabis, which he started using when he was 12, progressing to cocaine at 17. He was in debt to the drug dealer when he agreed to hide the stash.

Mr Robinson described how the defendant had had a “troubled upbringing” and his father had been jailed for two years for assault.

“He was deprived of achieving his potential because of the sins of others,” he said.

“Growing up, he never had a role model instilling discipline. He deserves a second chance.”

Robertson had seen a friend of his assaulted “severely” by the drug dealer, who has not been traced, the court heard, which is why he had agreed to co-operate with him.

The defendant, who had spent seven months on remand, was called to the witness box to address the court before the judge sentenced him.

'None of this was worth it'

His voice strained with emotion, he said: “None of this was worth it. What seemed to be having a bit of fun with friends has put me in the position of me being in prison for a number of years.

“There is always choice and chance and I made the wrong choice. I completely admit that the mistakes I’ve made are due to my own stupidity.”

Turning to his family who were in the public gallery, he added: “I want to make up for the hurt and damage I’ve caused them and friends.

"I have two young brothers who I haven’t been able to see, they don’t know I’m in prison. They think I am on holiday, or working away. I miss them.”

Sentencing Robertson to a total of 40 months in prison, Judge Mousley told him: “You were holding the drugs for a dealer and you knew what he was going to do with them.

“You admitted yourself the catastrophic consequences drugs can have on people who use them. But I believe your remorse for what you did is genuine.”