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15
Jun
Drug-driver avoids jail after crashing into parked car in Harrogate
A notorious Harrogate man has been spared jail again after crashing his car into a parked vehicle while drug-driving – while on a suspended prison sentence for conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Nathan Wilsher, 40, still had three months to run of his suspended sentence when his VW Golf ploughed into a parked Audi on a residential street in Harrogate.
He was later found to have been driving while over the limit for cannabis, York Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Rachael Landin said that a resident who was witness to the crash was mystified as to why Wilsher’s VW Golf suddenly took a “hard right turn” towards the parked Audi.
The collision occurred just after 2pm on September 1 last year after the resident was alerted by a “loud noise” in her street.
When she looked out of her window, she saw a black Volkswagen which suddenly took a “hard right turn” for “no apparent reason” on a clear road with no obstructions.
After smashing into the Audi, Wilsher tried to reverse and do a three-point turn, but his vehicle was so badly damaged he wasn’t able to do so, leaving him stranded.
He got out of his car and went over to the smashed Audi as a witness rushed to the scene and suggested they call police.
Ms Landin said:
It was apparent to the member of the public that the defendant was displeased with that suggestion and wanted to resolve matters by exchanging insurance details.
Wilsher, of Fairfax Avenue, was taken to Harrogate Police Station where a drug test showed he was over the specified limit for cannabis.
He was charged with drug-driving and ultimately admitted the offence, which was in breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed nearly three years ago for his part in a drug conspiracy in which the streets of Harrogate were “flooded” with heroin and crack cocaine in a County Lines drug plot.
Supply of class A drugs
In December 2023 at Leeds Crown Court, Wilsher was one of seven men sentenced for conspiring to supply Class A drugs which were brought into Harrogate by couriers from Bradford.
Wilsher was one of five men used as street dealers by their Bradford-based drug overlords. For his part in the conspiracy, he received a two-year suspended jail sentence for supplying Class A drugs. The two ringleaders were jailed for a total of 17 years.
He also had a previous conviction from 2021 for cannabis production, handling stolen goods and possessing cocaine for which he received a 10-month jail sentence. His record also included shoplifting and stealing to fund his drug habit.
Defence barrister Temitayo Dasaolu said that Wilsher, who received state benefits, had struggled with drug addiction but was getting help for his problem.
Recorder Simon Jackson KC told Wilsher:
You are still using cannabis. You need some intervention and support.
Wilsher was given an 18-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months, during which time he will have to complete 75 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation-activity days. He was fined £400 for the breach and given an 18-month motoring ban for drug-driving.
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