A rising boxing talent, Leon Cooney, 23, has been sentenced to two years and two months in prison after pleading guilty to drug-related offences that occurred nearly three years ago. The sentencing took place at Plymouth Crown Court following Cooney’s guilty plea in June 2023 to charges of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, specifically cocaine and diamorphine, on March 2, 2022.

Cooney had denied additional charges of possession with intent to supply, which were ultimately left on file. The delay in his case was attributed to the involvement of another defendant, Maisie Smith, whose charges were eventually dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The court heard that on March 2, 2022, officers from Devon and Cornwall Police, along with Merseyside Police, were conducting Operation Medusa. They monitored a suspected drug user traveling by taxi, making brief stops before being intercepted. The suspect, appearing distressed, was found with a mobile phone that received an aggressive call from a Liverpudlian-accented man issuing threats.

Further investigation led to the arrest of Cooney and his partner Maisie Smith. A search of their residence uncovered a second mobile phone. While in custody, Cooney was taken to Derriford Hospital, where he later expelled a condom containing 76 wraps of cocaine (approximately 7 grams) and 8 wraps of heroin (1.54 grams).

Although investigators could not access Cooney’s phone, evidence from Smith’s phone included messages regarding drug transactions. Cooney remained silent during police questioning.

The court also noted Cooney’s previous criminal record, including motoring offences, possession of Class A drugs in 2020, and cannabis possession in 2021. In May 2021, he received a community order for burglary, affray, and assault.

His defense attorney highlighted Cooney’s transformation over the past three years, emphasizing his commitment to boxing. Cooney, now a professional boxer with an undefeated record, had been mentoring young people and distancing himself from his troubled past. His legal team argued for a suspended sentence, citing the significant character references provided by those who had witnessed his reformation.

However, Judge Simon Levene stated that despite Cooney’s progress, his role in drug supply was significant. He acknowledged Cooney’s efforts to reform but ruled that the sentence could not be suspended. The court imposed a two-year and two-month sentence for each offence, to run concurrently.

This decision effectively halts Cooney’s promising boxing career, as a custodial sentence leads to the revocation of his professional boxing license.