A FORMER cocaine dealer has avoided a prison sentence because he has turned his life around.
Kane Holding appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 17.
The 29-year-old, of The Old Station Yard, Lambourn, admitted being concerned in the supply of the Class A-controlled drug in Berkshire between December 1, 2018, and January 1, 2019.
According to official guidelines, the sentencing range for Class A drug dealing goes from a high level community order up to 16 years imprisonment.
In this case, magistrates took the unusual step of imposing a financial penalty on the former pupil at John O’Gaunt School in Hungerford.
In their sentencing notes, magistrates cited “extenuating mitigation.”
They stated: “This offence was [committed] five years ago and Mr Holding’s situation is very different to that when he committed the offence.
“He has pleaded guilty and has had extreme difficulties to overcome in the past five years; he has not resorted to drugs and there have been no further offences.
“He has managed very well with his rehabilitation.”
The court conceded: “The case has crossed the custody threshold as it is concerned in the supply of Class A and therefore very serious.”
Nevertheless, magistrates added: “There are no criminogenic needs to ask probation to work with Mr Holding.
“The references show you are very well thought of in your job which you have done very well over the past five years.
“We therefore decide that a ... fine is the correct sentence.”
Mr Holding, who was legally represented at the hearing by Simon Hammudi, was fined £4,032.
In addition, he was ordered to pay £85 costs, plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £170.
