5:00pm Wednesday 4th November 2009
By Nigel Freedman
A former boxing champion has been found guilty of supplying cocaine.
Paul Halpin, 35, had more than £60,000 on him when he was arrested by undercover police.
The ex Southern super flyweight title holder was see getting into to a VW van in Lloyd Road, Hove, on October 10 last year.
He was driven around the corner by van owner Steve Jutton and got out a few second later.
Halpin, who has not boxed professionally since 2007 and now works as a personal trainer, drove off in a new Audi A3 parked nearby.
Jutton was stopped in the van at the Shell petrol station in Preston Road, Brighton, ten minutes later.
Three ounces of cocaine worth up to £8,500 was found wrapped in a jumper stuffed between the seats, Brighton Crown Court was told Jutton, of Longhill Road, Woodingdean, Brighton, admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply at an earlier hearing.
Police arrested Halpin outside his home in Holland Road, Hove, as he walked back to the Audi.
He was carrying a holdall containing £58,000 and had another £3,000 and a £10 wrap of cocaine in another bag around his neck.
The jury found him guilty by majority verdicts of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possessing cocaine.
It will continue to consider its verdict today (wed) on a third charge of possessing money from the proceeds of crime.
The father-of-two claimed he had the £58,000 in the holdall to invest in La Piazza Italian restaurant in Church Road, Hove.
He said the eaterie is owned by a friend and the money was to be used to pay builders to extend the restaurant.
Halpin claimed he made £35,000 from the sale of a flat and invested £40,000 in a copper mine in Zaire.
When he came to cash in his shares their value had risen to £65,000, the court was told.
He said: “I was going to become a partner in the restaurant but we had not drawn up the partnership papers yet.
“We thought we could get a better discount from the builders if we paid them in cash.”
The trial continues.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.theargus.co.uk/trade_directory/