Man's teeth punched out in cannabis deal gone wrong  

A MAN had his two front teeth smashed in when he questioned an underweight cannabis package from his pregnant teenage dealer.

The altercation started when Gemma Barnes supplied Anthony Phillipson with less cannabis than he paid for.

Gloucester Crown Court heard Mr Phillipson was punched and kicked by Barnes' boyfriend, Dominic Russell, when they met for another deal after he had complained.

Prosecutor Julian Kesner said: "This case gives us an insight that tells us how unpleasant the supply of drugs can be even in a small provincial town like Moreton-in-Marsh when drug users fall out with their suppliers."

Barnes, 19 of Evenlode Road in the town had given Mr Phillipson 6.42grams of the class B drug when he had paid her £80 for 8 grams.

The court heard he had hoped she would make up the difference when they met on December 10 that year, but instead she turned up with four men.

Mr Kesner said Russell, of Padsey Road, Willersey, Broadway, punched him without warning hard in the face.

He said: "He fell to the ground where he continued to punch and kick him.

"As he was being attacked Gemma Barnes joined in taking his girlfriend, Charlotte Jeffcott, out, punching her in the nose and pulling her hair."

A witness who saw the beaten pair said Miss Jeffcott had been left with a blooded face and was visibly shaken up, while Mr Phillipson was said to be dazed and in shock.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC described it as a "distinctly unattractive scene".

Barnes admitted assault by beating, supplying cannabis and possession with intent to supply.

The court heard it was the fifth time she had a violent offences recorded against her, with the first committed when she was aged just 14.

Defending Barnes, Paul Trottman, said she was dependant on cannabis at the time, but had stopped smoking since becoming pregnant.

He said her mother was a schizophrenic and she had a troubled upbringing, but was looking forward to the birth of their child in December.

Judge Tabor said: "Is it good news for her or the baby being bought into the world?"

"I have not received a satisfactory explanation as to why you should be such a violent young woman.

"I am told you have seen the light and you are not going to touch cannabis anymore.

"If you were not pregnant you would be very close to going to prison, if not going, but I will give you a chance."

He deferred sentencing until March 3 and said she would have to stay out of trouble and undergo drug tests to prove herself.

Russell pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, but denied kicking and punching Mr Phillipson while he was on the ground.

A hearing will take place at a later date to establish the extent of the attack.

Defending Steve Young said he had a good job working for his father, who was supporting him at court.

But Judge Tabor warned: "If I find he kicked a man on the ground he is not going to be around for the birth of his child.

"It seems to me very important to determine this.

"If he did he will go to prison. If he didn't he may still go to jail."

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk 12/10/2013