Cocaine dealer could be locked up for longer

THREATENED TO SHOOT HIS DRIVER'S CHILDREN

- By POPPY KENNEDY

Dale Hamilton

A MIDDLESBROUGH drug dealer who was jailed for 10 years after he kidnapped his own driver and threatened to shoot the man’s children could face a longer stint behind bars.

Dale Hamilton was sentenced in August after admitting a string of offences including kidnap, black mail, two counts of robbery, and being concerned in the supply of cocaine. Teesside Crown Court heard last month how the 29-year-old’s two victims were terrified for their lives and eventually contacted the police.

Now, a hearing has been listed to take place at the Court of Appeal after the case was submitted to the Attorney General's Office as potentially unduly lenient. Hamilton is expected to learn whether his 10-year sentence will be extended at the hearing on December 9.

The Gazette previously reported how Hamilton told one of his victim’s, an ex-police officer, he would be “folded in half” if he didn’t pay him £1,400. The “vulnerable” officer was a recovering drug addict, and was so frightened he had to leave the area and enter a safe house.