Former rugby league player jailed after drugs found in vehicle

Julian Charles was stopped by police in his car in Denby Dale Road, Wakefield, on September 26 last year, and was searched after an officer noticed the smell of cannabis.

He admitted he had some cannabis in a plastic box in the car, and while being searched a small tube fell from the bottom of his trousers on to the road, Laura Addy, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

As he picked it up, he told the officer: "I'm in enough trouble already, don't do this." When the policeman grabbed his arm, Charles began struggling and ran off. He was pursued and the officer seized the tube, along with a bag containing 1.45 grammes of cocaine and 1,300 in cash.

Dealer bags, electronic scales and a pipe with white powder on it were found in the car.

Charles's home was searched and three different amounts of cocaine were recovered, including 31.5 grammes of a high 74 per cent purity. Constituents used to cut cocaine, including caffeine, were also seized.

Kitty Taylor, for Charles, said his rugby career had a setback in early 2000 when fingers were pointed at him in a drugs scandal for which he was not responsible. Ironically, that had led to a period of depression and him getting into drugs, but in the latest incident, he was only custodian of the drugs for someone else.

Charles, 38, of Newton Lane, Outwood, Wakefield, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.

Jailing him for two years, Recorder Tim Roberts QC said "warehousing drugs for a dealer" was a serious offence.

Charles previously played for Westgate Redoubt and Ossett Trinity.