‘Stupid’ jockey found with £10,000 of drugs avoids jail

A ‘STUPID’ jockey has avoided jail after being found with £10,000 of drugs in what has been dubbed an ‘unusual case’.

Oran Brown, 22, was given a suspended three-and-a-half year sentence after police raided his home and found cannabis and cocaine.

Peter Nolan BL, representing Brown at Letterkenny Circuit Court in Donegal, Ireland, said his client was due to ride at Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting this weekend and had worked for top trainer Richard Hannon.

Detective Garda Michelle Kelly said cops noticed a strong smell of weed when they searched Brown’s home in Coolatee, Lifford, in June 2020.

A large quantity of drugs was found in several locations in the house.

Detectives seized more than £7,500 of cannabis and almost £2,200 worth of cocaine, while a sleeping tablet was also discovered.

A grinder, weighing scales and a quantity of Ziploc bags were also found while a line of suspected cocaine was seen on top of a dresser.

Almost £9,000 in cash was found inside a safe and, after being arrested, Brown told police he ‘smoked a lot of weed and sniffed cocaine’.

He added: “I won’t lie, I sold a few bags of weed too.”

Brown said the cash was given to him by his parents and grandparents for his birthday the month before.

Mr Nolan said Brown ‘and others began taking cocaine to keep the weight stabilised’ as they tried to further their careers in the saddle.

Mr Nolan said Brown had dreams of being a jockey on the Flat but struggled with his weight and is now a conditional over jumps, where there are higher weight limits.

He added: “He became involved in cocaine and that has brought him to the position that he is in.

“Stupidity led him to these circumstances.”

Judge John Alymer said a starting point for the possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling or supplying was five years in prison.

He said: “It was clear from all the paraphernalia found on the premises that there was a significant amount of dealing going on.”

However, in mitigation, it was noted Brown had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty and showed officers to the drugs in the house.

The entirety of Brown’s three-and-a-half year sentence for the possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling or supplying has been suspended.

Brown was ordered to 240 hours of community service in lieu of 16 months in prison on the charge of unlawful possession of cocaine.

The judge added: “This is an unusual case where he deserves his second chance.”