December 22, 2017 9.28 am This story is over 75 months old

Lincoln drug dealer back behind bars

Back behind bars.
Wilfred Mbanga

A drug dealer who was caught with cocaine after being stopped in Lincoln city centre was jailed for four and a half years at the city’s Crown Court.

Wilfred Mbanga, who had previously served a jail sentence for drug dealing, was stopped by police on Silver Street on Christmas Day last year.

Mark Knowles, prosecuting, said that Mbanga tried to swallow the SIM card of his mobile phone.

He was searched and a wrap of cocaine was found on him.

Mr Knowles said that Mbanga had been released from prison just four months earlier after serving a 30 month jail sentence imposed for drugs offences.

Mbanga, 28, of Pigot Way, Carlton Estate, Lincoln, denied charges of supplying class A drugs, possession of drugs with intent to supply and obstructing police in the execution of a drugs search.

He was cleared by a jury of supplying drugs but convicted of possession with intent to supply and of obstructing police.

Recorder Gareth Evans QC, passing sentence, told him: “You are pushing misery every time you sell a Class A drug.

“There has to be an immediate custodial sentence. 30 months obviously didn’t work therefore the sentence has to be longer this time.”

Barnaby Shaw, in mitigation, said that Mbanga suffers from an inherited kidney condition and his health deteriorated during his previous jail sentence and within weeks of his release underwent a kidney transplant.

“He is on a cocktail of medication to prevent rejection and for immune boosting. Because of that he is vulnerable to infection. It means that custody will have a greater impact on him than it has on others.”