Pennington man Brandon Hood says he was 'looking after' drugs haul found in his home

A MAN caught with a haul of drugs at his Pennington home claimed that he was merely "looking after" it.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Brandon Hood (20), of West Close, was stopped in the street by police in November last year, and a search revealed drugs and cash on him.

Prosecutor Edward Elton said officers then went to Hood’s home and found more than a kilo of cannabis and 26 grams of cocaine, Mr Elton added.

Evidence suggested Hood had been committing the offences over a two-year period, Mr Elton added.

Hood had pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine and cannabis and possessing cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply at a previous hearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court.

The two drug supplying charges related to the period between 13th November of 2018 and the same date in 2020.

But Mr Elton explained how Hood wanted to be sentenced in the crown court on the basis "that he was merely looking after the material at his home".

If accepted, such a claim would make a "material difference" to the type of sentence he could receive, the prosecutor said, and so his evidence needed to be tested.

Defence barrister Christopher Pix agreed, adding the change could allow him to argue that Hood could be spared a prison term.

He said: "He is effectively saying he was a custodian, who took no reward [from hosting the drugs]."

Judge Rowland ruled that both prosecution and defence needed to see all the evidence.

He told Hood to return to Southampton Crown Court on 2nd September for a hearing to determine the facts, after which the defendant will be sentenced. Hood was granted unconditional bail until then.