Joshua Caldwell was convicted of drug trafficking offences for a third time
19:58, 16 Apr 2025Updated 20:33, 16 Apr 2025
Joshua Caldwell(Image: Merseyside Police)
A Rolex watch was seized from the wrist of a drug dealer’s girlfriend after wraps of cocaine were discovered in his underwear. Joshua Caldwell’s “nervous” behaviour aroused the suspicions of police, leading to the seizure of a quantity of cash and illicit substances.
His third conviction for drug trafficking offences came after he “fell back into his old ways” following his release from prison. A judge has now warned him that he is “wasting his life”.
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, that police were passing Caldwell’s home on Harrismith Road in Fazakerley at around 3.30pm on March 2 this year when he was seen entering a Vauxhall car. The 34-year-old was said to have been “nervous” when subsequently approached by officers, who were also unable to establish the ownership of the vehicle.
Derek Jones, prosecuting, described how this led to a search of his address, which saw four “golf ball sized” packages of cocaine and £2,035 in cash recovered from the bedrooms. PCs also noticed a Rolex on his partner’s wrist, which Caldwell stated he had purchased for her.
This led to the watch, which was valued at around £4,000, also being seized. The defendant subsequently volunteered further bags of drugs and a mobile phone from inside his underwear following his arrest.
Caldwell remained silent under interview other than telling detectives that the money was “a gift from his birthday”, which fell two days later. His criminal record shows two previous convictions for four offences, receiving two years in a young offenders’ institute in 2009 for possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and 15 years in 2016 for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to possess a firearm.
He has since been recalled on licence in relation to the latter sentence, and is not due for release until 2030. Peter White, defending, told the court: “Quite simply, he tells me that he was released approximately two years ago. He has initially done very well.
“He entered into a steady relationship. He has assisted with her personal responsibilities and cared for her grandmother. He has engaged with mental health services. He tells me that he has had a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, stemming from incidents while he was in custody.
“He accepts, quite simply, that he fell back into his old ways and got drawn back into this circle. He holds his hands up to that. He can only apologise. They had plans to start a family together. His future looks somewhat bleak, given he potentially has another five years left on licence.
“He does have an unattractive record. There does appear to be another side to him, however. He has, at least partially, demonstrated that he can stay out of trouble. There are significant gaps in his offending.”
Caldwell admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply and two counts of possession of criminal property. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse, he was jailed for 2,035 days.
This is the minimum seven-year sentence for a third drug trafficking offence minus credit of 20% for a guilty plea. Sentencing, Recorder Richard Pratt KC said: “This was by no means the first time you have been involved in the supply of drugs.
“It is a point of regret, needless to say, that the severe sentence you received in 2016 did not have the lasting effect it ought to have had upon you. Having lost a good proportion of your 20s, you are now, inevitably, going to have to spend a fair bit of time in your 30s in prison, which, I am sure you appreciate more than anybody, is a waste of your life.”