A Hemel Hempstead drug dealer who went on the run for 176 days was jailed for four years today (Wednesday, June 24).
Kacey Parkin, 22, claimed he was suffering coronavirus virus when the police found him hiding in a wardrobe on May 7 this year.
Prosecutor George Heimler told St Albans Crown Court that Parkin was found guilty in his absence last November of supplying cocaine and heroin.
He had been caught on March 3, 2018 with 36 bags of cocaine, three bags of heroin and £415 cash. At his address scales, plastic bags and two grinders were found. Two text messages also referred to drug supply.
In June 2018 he was identified from dash-cam footage that was found on a Mini that had been stolen from a 71-year-old former magistrate’s home in Hemel Hempstead. The keys had been taken in a burglary five days earlier.
Although the car was recovered, the magistrate was left £600 out of pocket because she had to have scratches repaired and her home’s locks changed.
Mr Heimler said Parkin was bailed, but between August and October last year had committed 49 breaches of his electronic curfew.
He spent 176 days on the run until the police found him hiding in a wardrobe at an address in Hemel Hempstead on May 7.
Mr Heimler said: “He claimed to have COVID-19. He barged a male officer causing him to fall to the floor, suffering swelling to his leg.”
Parkin, of Chaucer Walk, Woodhall Farm, Hemel appeared for sentence via a link from Bedford prison. He had been convicted of two charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. He admitted possession cannabis, theft of the car, assault of an emergency worker and bail act offences.
Defending, Shelley Griffith said Parkin, maintained he was only a courier and not a street dealer.
He said Parkin, who had suffered a difficult upbringing, pleaded guilty to most of the charges.
Judge Michael Kay QC said he was prepared to accept the drug dealing was not his own operation, but said he did not accept he was merely a courier.
Referring to the assault on the emergency worker, the judge said: “There is no reason why a police officer should have to deal with that sort of behaviour.”
The judge ordered that the £415 cash seized should go as compensation to the woman who had to change her locks and repair the scratches.
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