A Corbridge man who tried to run from police after officers approached a vehicle in a Hexham car park has been given a conditional discharge after admitting possession of 11 cannisters of nitrous oxide.
Olly White, 22, was found with the cannisters after he and friends left the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, Newcastle Magistrates’ Court heard. The incident happened in the early hours of May 29, according to the prosecution.
What happened in the Hexham car park
White, of Synclen Avenue, Corbridge, was sitting in a vehicle with friends when police located the car in Hexham. The group got out and ran when officers approached, but they were later detained. Police investigations identified White, who was arrested and found to have 11 cannisters of nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is illegal to possess for recreational use. White later admitted possessing the cannisters for his own use and pleaded guilty to possession of a class C drug.
Christopher O'Brien, prosecuting, told the court:
“The defendant was found with 11 cannisters of Nitrous Oxide.”
The court also heard that White had failed to attend a hearing the previous month, leading to a warrant being issued for his arrest. He appeared in the dock in custody this week to enter his guilty plea.
Defence statement and sentence
Jack Lovell, defending, said White had no previous convictions, worked as a roofer and was disappointed to find himself before the court. He said White had been in a car with friends and that they had been consuming nitrous oxide recreationally.
“He doesn't have a problem with drugs, however.”
Magistrates gave White a six-month conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £26 victim surcharge.
The case was reported by ChronicleLive Hexham. The court outcome follows the police encounter in Hexham and the subsequent investigation into the cannisters found in White’s possession.
