Banned driver found with 16 bags of cocaine outside Hard Rock Café in Newcastle

A banned driver was found in possession of 16 bags of cocaine as he parked up outside Newcastle's Hard Rock Café.

Akaa Bawa was found with the small snap-bags of class A drugs after police began following the Hyndai he was driving on February 17 this year. After the drugs were found, police searched his Gateshead home and discovered an extendable baton under his bed.

This week, Bawa, of Joicey Road, Low Fell, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court facing counts of possessing a class A drug, possessing an offensive weapon, and driving whilst disqualified. The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to the offences.

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The court heard that Bawa was driving a white Hyndai when police decided to follow him until he pulled over in the city centre. Lucy Todd, prosecuting, said: "He came to a stop outside the Hard Rock Café, police opened the door and removed the defendant.

"A search was conducted and they found 16 bags of white powder. They then searched his home address and an extendable baton was found underneath his bed."

The court heard that Bawa had four previous convictions for six offences, including possession of an offensive weapon in 2019. Last year, he was disqualified from driving for 18 months and is still on a community order.

Neil Connell, defending, said Bawa had believed he had been banned from driving for a period less than 18 months and had borrowed the Hyndai from a friend. He told the court: "He checked to ensure the car was insured by the DVLA and said it was. He was returning from an address where he had purchased cocaine."

Mr Connell said Bawa had issues with drugs in the past and decided to buy the cocaine for personal use as he was distressed that a friend of his was in a coma. He said the baton had been in the car but he put it under his bed as he didn't want it in the vehicle. Mr Connell added that Bawa had been sent to Kurdistan for a period of time and was involved in "constructive pastimes" while there and had not taken drugs since.

Bawa was fined £150 and ordered to pay £60 surcharge and £85 costs. Six penalty points were also put on his driving licence.