A CHESTER Crown Court judge has commended the brave decision by the family of an Ellesmere Port teenager to contact police when they found cocaine in his bedroom.

Judge Patrick Thompson said he sympathised greatly with the mum and brother of 19-year-old Jason Downey, also known as Jason Evans, saying their actions were the "right thing to do".

Downey pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possession of a small amount of cannabis.

Judge Thompson, sentencing Downey on Tuesday, June 23, handed him the minimum sentence possible of 28 months in a young offenders institution, and did so "with a heavy heart".

He said he hoped Downey would reflect that the actions taken by his family were done "out of love", preventing him from a potential lifetime of misery and drug debts.

Prosecuting, Nardeen Nemat said it was on the night of June 19, 2019 when family members discovered wraps of cocaine in Downey's bedroom in Lime Street.

When asked about the wraps, Downey said they belonged to a friend.

His mum tried to flush a few of the wraps down the toilet, but was unable to, and police were called.

They discovered a total of 16 wraps of cocaine, collectively valued at between £480 and £640, and two sets of electronic scales were found, as well as a "small amount" of cannabis.

When interviewed by police, Downey said he was minding the drugs for a friend and was paid about £30-60 each time by said friend to look after them.

Downey had two previous convictions for four offences, all of them from last year.

Defending, Brian Treadwell said Downey's mum and brother had attended court to support him, but they stood by what they did as the right thing to do.

Judge Thompson said it was "remarkable" how "properly" both of them had acted, adding: "it was a very brave thing for them to do.

"It was done out of love and in an effort to prevent his position spiralling out of control.

"I have read the letters of support, they are very articulate. In particular, the one from the brother, which is as articulate as I have ever seen in my 30 years of law.

"I hope in time to come, the defendant will realise the sacrifices they have made."

Mr Treadwell added Downey was not taking the drugs himself, but was minding them for a friend, where he would be compensated in modest sums.

The actions were something which was not tolerated in that house.

"The defendant has learned a very hard lesson," Mr Treadwell added.

Sentencing, Judge Thompson said: "The actions of the mum and brother have probably saved him from a lifetime of drugs.

"I don't think that, without the shock of his mum and brother, that he would have made those efforts, I think he would have got himself into an impossible position.

"I have to apply the sentencing guidelines. Class A drugs cause untold misery across the streets of Cheshire and indeed all over the world.

"It seems to me you got yourself involved with people more sophisticated than yourself. Money can be made easily but the drugs can destroy lives.

"I hope you realise the actions taken by your mum and brother were done out of love. You have the benefit of a family who clearly love you very much; I hope you take this opportunity to reflect on that."

After Downey was sent down, Judge Thompson addressed the family: "I can only sympathise with them, I know this is an agonising day for them.

"Their actions probably saved him from a lifetime of misery and drugs abuse."

The drugs and drug paraphernalia found were to be forfeited and destroyed.