A COUNTY lines drug dealer who helped supply heroin and crack cocaine from a house in Birkenhead was caught after police spotted him in a taxi.

Sean O'Brien, 23, of Wychwood Close, Liverpool, appeared via video link in Liverpool Crown Court today (Wednesday, January 24) after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine) and possession of criminal property on Wednesday, August 30 last year. 

O’Brien was rumbled after police caught him getting out of a taxi and entering a house on Old Bidston Road in Birkenhead. He then returned to the taxi which had been waiting for him.

Police then stopped the taxi and searched O’Brien whereupon they found £525 in cash and a mobile phone.

Stella Haydn, prosecuting, told the court: “Police asked where the cash came from to which O’Brien responded, ‘the bookies’.”

He was then cautioned and arrested.

The court also heard how police later returned to the same house and upon entering found “several males” and an “unwell lady lying in bed in the living room”.

A white plastic bag covered by a blanket on the bed containing Class A drugs was discovered and another white bag containing smaller wraps of brown and white powder believed to be around “£110 worth of deals”.

Haydn confirmed to the court that the powders were crack cocaine and heroin.

A “burner phone” was also recovered, however no evidence was retrieved from the phone.

During a police interview, O’Brien denied supplying drugs and said he went into the house for “pain killers”.

The court also heard how O’Brien had six convictions for 12 previous offenses dating back to 2017 which include drug possession offences.

Anna Duke, defending, said O’Brien “hasn’t tried to fool anyone in any shape or form”.

She added: “He is still a young man who is only 23-years-old - he needs to be released sooner rather than later.

“He has kept his head down, so to speak, in custody and he is working and has a job. He has also signed up to education.”

Passing sentence, Judge Brian Cummings QC, said: “The glaring aggravating feature is that you have previous convictions for similar offences.

“You are a 23-year-old and I agree with the fact that at that age you haven’t reached full adult maturity. However, the court won’t account for this again if you appear before the court.

“You need to stop committing these offences. The sentences are just going to keep getting longer.

“You are still very young and can put this behind you.”

O’Brien was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.