Walton Highway man who had heroin in car barged past police to try and hide drugs

A 44-year-old who barged past a police officer in an attempt to run to his car to hide heroin has been sentenced.

John Curtis, of Blunt’s Drove in Walton Highway, appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday where he was handed a community order.

Curtis had previously pleaded guilty to having a Class A drug, driving without a licence, assaulting an officer and driving without insurance.

Crown prosecutor Jessica Neequaye told the court that on April 22, Curtis was arrested on unrelated matters.

They spotted him driving on Edinburgh Drive in Wisbech and pulled him over.

Curtis tried to get away from the officers and barged past them, who then detained him and continued to search him and his vehicle.

They discovered a wrap of heroin and a capped needle.

Curtis had committed a total of 68 previous offences.

In mitigation, Charlotte Winchester told the court that Curtis is prohibited from driving due to the medication he takes.

“This was a reckless assault on the officer,” said Ms Winchester.

“It happened because he had heroin in the car. He had it for his own use.

“His licence was revoked in February last year on medical grounds.”

Ms Winchester explained to the court that Curtis has had “issues” with heroin since he was a teenager.

She said that Curtis had managed to stay clean from drugs from 2013 to 2021, but found out some “devastating news” which led to him misusing illegal substances again.

Curtis was handed a community order, which entails completing 15 rehabilitation activity days.

A total of six points were added to Curtis’ licence. Due to there already being eight points on his licence, he was disqualified from driving for six months.

He will also pay a victim surcharge of £114.