A TEENAGER drug dealer arrested at a Colchester property with an arsenal of knives has been slammed behind bars at a young offender’s institution.

Police entered an address in Granary Court, the Hythe, in June 2022 when they found 18-year-old Luka Mills on the sofa alongside his co-defendant.

After deciding to conduct a full search of the property, officers went on to discover burner phones, a lock knife, a machete, and kitchen knives.

Gazette: Sentenced - Luka Mills was jailed by a judge in Ipswich Crown Court on ThursdaySentenced - Luka Mills was jailed by a judge in Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday (Image: Newsquest)

The phones had been used to send hundreds of messages which were related to the supply of heroin and crack cocaine in Colchester, London, and Mitcham.

When Mills was strip searched, he was found with more than £1,000 in cash.

Mills, now 20, later admitted to one charge of being concerned in the supply of heroine, and one charge of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine.

The defendant appeared via video link from HMP Norwich for sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday.

Gazette: Offence – Luka Mills had previous drugs convictions before offending in 2022Offence – Luka Mills had previous drugs convictions before offending in 2022 (Image: Essex Police)

Three members of the public sat in the public gallery as the sentencing hearing took place.

Anthony Rimmer, mitigating, told the court how Mills was “particularly robust about wishing to enter guilty pleas” to the two counts.

He said: “It seems to be apparent his co-defendant, who has a sustained record of dealing in drugs and is five years older than the defendant who is in court today, has a great deal to account for.

“It was an address known to the police for drug dealing, and weapons were found by the police.”
Gazette: Address - Granary Court was 'known to police' the court heardAddress - Granary Court was 'known to police' the court heard (Image: Google Street View)

Mr Rimmer added how Mills, who had been staying at an address in Avenue Road, Birmingham, had been stabbed when he was 14 and the incident had impacted his life.

“It affected his schooling – his family tried to home-school him but that didn’t work, so he does not have a good education," he added.

Judge David Wilson noted how Mills, who has previous drug convictions, had been taken off a youth rehabilitation order because he was said to be making “good progress”.

Mills was sentenced to 15 months’ detention in young offender’s institute.

After passing his sentence, Judge Wilson said: “Thank you to the family members who have attended court today.”