A drug dealer has pleaded with police to hand back his alleged National Lottery winnings.
Sam Cox, 27, had nearly £4,600 confiscated by Leicester Crown Court on Friday despite his claims that the majority of the money was a gift from a family member who had hit the jackpot.
The cash was discovered when officers searched his grandmother's property where he was residing, along with class A and B drugs and evidence of dealing activities.
Judge William Harbage KC rejected Cox's explanation and ordered the seizure of all the money found.
During the search, officers uncovered approximately six grams of cocaine and one gram of cannabis at the property.
The cocaine had been divided into 0.4-gram portions with an estimated street value exceeding £500.
Police also discovered drug paraphernalia including small resealable bags and scales.
A mobile phone containing evidence of transactions with 27 customers spanning two years was seized.
He claimed the cash was gifted to him by a family member who had won the lottery
| PAThe total cash found amounted to £4,599 along with €100. Officers also recovered a knuckle-duster from the premises.
Upon his arrest, Cox immediately admitted his involvement, telling officers: "Drug dealing is bad. I just want to be honest - yeah, I did it."
Cox later attempted to recover £3,000 of the seized money, asserting it was a present from a family member who had won the National Lottery.
However, when the relative provided written confirmation to support Cox's version of events, the letter stated they had given him only £1,000.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
He was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison
|GOOGLE STREET VIEW
This discrepancy undermined Cox's claim about the origin of the funds.
The court ultimately determined that none of the money could be verified as legitimate lottery winnings.
Cox, who lives on Prestop Drive in Ashby, admitted to possessing cannabis, possessing cocaine with intent to supply, and possessing an offensive weapon.
Defence barrister Eddy Leonard described her client as "quite a vulnerable individual" suffering from mental health difficulties who became involved in cocaine dealing after accumulating debts through cannabis addiction.
She told the court that Cox's family had cleared his drug debt, ensuring it would not affect his grandmother. Cox has two young children whom he sees six times weekly.
Ms Leonard urged the judge to avoid imprisonment, stating: "He didn't enter into this venture through choice - he was put upon to do it. He has put all that behind him.
"He's keen to sort his mental health out, get back to work and provide for his children."
Despite these pleas, Judge Harbage sentenced Cox to two years and seven months in prison and ordered permanent confiscation of all seized items, including the disputed cash.