Footballer avoids jail over drugs offences

Leeds Crown Court yesterday heard officers were checking a public house in Farsley, Leeds as part of an operation when they saw Richard Feltham in the Bay Horse looking panicked and fidgeting.

Charlotte Eastwood, prosecuting, said he was then seen to rummage in his pockets before throwing something out of a window.

He was detained while the area outside was searched and a black sock was found containing 10 small bags of cocaine and other clear bags. The 22-year-old was then asked if he had any other drugs and produced another small bag of cocaine.

He was taken to Weetwood police station where another small bag containing powder was found which he admitted was mephedrone, a party drug also known as meow meow, which he said he used occasionally and had left over from a nightclub.

He told officers he had obtained and cut the cocaine himself and put it into 11 bags intending to share them with the rest of his Sunday league football team from the Jug and Barrel public house in Stanningley, Leeds.

Nigel Edwards, for Feltham, said as a keen athlete who had tried out with Leeds United, Oldham and Bradford City, he realised how stupid he had been, risking his future by getting the drugs for a cup celebration.

He had recently also graduated after studying electronics and came from a good family who were devastated by his actions.

Feltham, of Springbank Avenue, Leeds, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possession of mephedrone and was given 52 weeks in prison suspended for two years with 200 hours' unpaid work.