James Winsor-Franklin was studying in Newcastle when he was caught selling cocaine, ketamine and cannabis while riding an e-scooter
18:13, 27 Apr 2026
James Winsor-Franklin, caught dealing drugs
A student drugs runner caught “peddling filth” while riding round the streets of Tyneside on an e-scooter has been told: “People can die taking this stuff”. It was in March 2024 that two plain clothed officers were in the Heaton and Jesmond areas when they saw James Winsor-Franklin riding an e-scooter towards four young men sitting on a wall who appeared to be students.
They saw the scooter rider engaged in what appeared to be a quick drug deal before riding off. The officers followed him and when he came to a stop he was told he was going to be searched. He admitted being in possession of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.
Saba Shah, prosecuting, said: “He was very forthcoming on the body worn footage. He said he was not a dealer but a runner for people he refused to name.”
He was found in possession of cannabis edibles, six bags of cocaine worth up to £200 and nine bags of ketamine worth up to £60. More cannabis was then found at his student accommodation.
Winsor-Franklin, 22, Hanover Terrace, Isleworth, London, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possessing cocaine, cannabis and ketamine with intent to supply. He was sentenced to 12 months suspended for 18 months and fined £500.
Recorder Caroline Goodwin said: “He is clearly a foot soldier. He is told what to do, where to do it and how to do it.”
But she told Winsor-Franklin he was “part of a chain peddling filth to others” and told him “people can die from taking this stuff”.
Recorder Goodwin said Winsor-Franklin had got involved after finding himself in “an unfortunate position” and said he ruined his university studies. And she added it must have been “humiliating” to have to go back to live with his mother “like a child”.
Jonathan Cousins, defending, said Winsor-Franklin had to leave his university studies but having “realised he made an absolute mess of it”, he self-referred for rehabilitation and has made good progress and is now clean of drugs.
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