STANMORE MAN JAILED FOR COCAINE DEALING

Session drummer Orlando Callender was jailed for 27 months and two weeks on Wednesday, May 21, after being caught with wraps of cocaine in a car in Watford.   Callender, 24, from Stanmore, was dealing in the Class A drug to fund his own habit, St Albans crown court heard. Prosecutor Stephen Mather said police officers noticed a black Corsa parked in Gade Avenue, Watford at twenty past six in the evening on 11 November last year. “The police approached and noticed a strong smell of cannabis. Mr Callender was in the front seat.”   They found a small bag of cannabis and a small blue kitchen knife along with 21 wraps of cocaine which had  a street value of £400.   The officers arrested Callender, who told them he was a session drummer and that the drugs were for his personal use.  But his iPhone was examined and on a test message the police found a reference to 16 bags of sniff – slang for cocaine.   Callender, of Rainsford Close, Stanmore, pleaded guilty to possessing a Class A with intent to supply, possessing a Class B drug and having an offensive weapon. He also admitted a bail offence when he did not appear for an earlier court hearing.   He had previous convictions for possessing Class A drugs from September and November last year.   David Smithet, defending, said that since he had been remanded in custody Callender had made use of his time by attending drug courses. When he is released he said he wanted to move away from criminal associates and back to Watford, where he had attended college.   Jailing him, Judge Andrew Bright QC said: “You had a Class A drug problem and supplied drugs to support your own habit. I hope when you come out you can get back on track. If you continue with drug use you will be back in court. You have got a lot of talent which I hope you can put to good use.”