A drug dealer who used the flat of a vulnerable woman as a base to supply drugs into Medway has been jailed for more than five years.

Courtney Miller-Cross was found guilty following his arrest last year when he was found inside a property in Magpie Hall Road, Chatham.

The 22-year-old, of Bell Green, London, denied two counts of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin and one count of acquiring criminal property but was found guilty of the charges following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court which concluded on Thursday, February 11.

At a hearing yesterday, he was sentenced to five years and four months in jail.

The jury heard how Miller-Cross had been arrested on May 27 inside the home of a vulnerable woman.

Miller-Cross identified the woman as being vulnerable and coerced her into letting him use her property as a base to supply drugs and when officers searched it they found a large amount of cash as well as packages of crack cocaine and heroin.

After being charged he denied the offences and was sent for trial.

During the trial he claimed he had been forced to sell the drugs on behalf of a group of people and was in fear of his life, however his defence was not believed by the jury who after a two-week trial found him guilty of the charges.

Cash to the value of £1,073 which was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act will also be destroyed.

Investigating officer PC John Carless said: "Miller-Cross used the home of the woman in order to supply drugs into Medway.

"This was a clear case of cuckooing in which a vulnerable individual was taken advantage of.

"He denied the charges against him and claimed he was forced to behave in the way he was, but a jury saw through this and he was found guilty.

"His sentence reflects his criminality and I’m pleased he is no longer on the streets of Medway."

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