A PENRITH man who has admitted two serious drug crimes involving cocaine committed his second dealing offence because he was under pressure from higher-level dealers, a court heard.

Kyle Chaloner, 43, admitted those possession with intent to supply offences a year apart.

He also admitted possessing an offensive weapon - a baseball bat.

But a judge at Carlisle Crown Court declined to sentence Chaloner after hearing that he had been convicted of two fresh offences - criminal damage and a racially aggravated public order offence.

The court heard that the first cocaine offence happened on March 14 last year when the defendant was seen doing a "street-deal".

When police searched his home, officers found "a significant quantity of cash."

Chaloner's defence lawyer Mark Shepherd said the second drugs offence a year later - and the offensive weapon offence - came about as a result of the defendant having lost the drugs and cash that were seized by police.

"What happened in 2020 led to pressure," said the lawyer.

At an earlier hearing, Mr Shepherd said Chaloner carried a baseball bat- "for protection."

When he committed the offence, the defendant was "under threat," and owed £15,000 to higher level dealers.

The defendant is now suffering from a serious medical condition which Judge Richard Archer had earlier ruled amounted to exceptional circumstances. This had led to his release on bail - an unusual happening for somebody facing such serious drugs offences.

Currently living at Rowan Court, Penrith, Chaloner has admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply on March 14 last year; possessing an offensive weapon - a baseball bat - without a reasonable excuse on September 15; possessing the class B drug cannabis; and a second charge of possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

He has now admitted a further criminal damage offence and was convicted of the racially aggravated public order offence after a trial.

Adjourning the sentence hearing until February 4, Judge Archer told Chaloner he was yet to be persuaded that the defendant should not receive an immediate jail term for an offence which has a sentence starting point of four and a half years.

The judge added: "You should not expect that because you are being bailed you will not be receiving a custodial sentence. That remains the more likely outcome because of the seriousness of your offending. But if there is a possibility of an alternative because of these exceptional circumstances that will be explored."