Dealer who 'terrorised' man has sentence increased
Cleveland PoliceA drug dealer convicted after terrorising his neighbour has had his sentence increased by three years after it was judged to be unduly lenient.
Dale Hamilton, 30, from Middlesbrough, was jailed for 10 years in August at Teesside Crown Court after admitting robbery, kidnapping, blackmail and supplying class A drugs.
The court heard in 2024, Hamilton ran a drugs line supplying cocaine and when he became aware his neighbour was a former police officer and recovering addict, posted drugs through his letterbox to try and make him relapse and order more.
Hamilton convinced his neighbour to hand over the key to his flat before using the social accommodation as his own.
Efforts were made to remove Hamilton from the victim's flat, but Hamilton demanded money and threatened to kill the neighbour before he escaped to emergency accommodation.
Hamilton accused a second man who worked for him of stealing money, before extorting £160 and demanding a further £200 while threatening to assault him and shoot his children if he did not pay.
The Court of Appeal increased Hamilton's sentence to 13 years.
In a statement, Hamilton's neighbour said the ordeal left him feeling vulnerable, anxious and living in fear.
The Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP said Hamilton was a "dangerous and violent man" who "terrorised" his neighbour.
"I welcome the Court of Appeal's decision to increase Hamilton's sentence, keeping this dangerous man off our streets," she added.
