A DRUG dealer who plagued a crime-hit estate has been taken off the streets thanks to an Observer investigation.
Karl Bates, 35, of Norfolk Grove, Church, this week pleaded guilty to supplying drugs and possessing illegal weapons. He was remanded in custody for sentencing and warned he faces a jail term.
His home was raided by police just two hours after the Observer handed over damning camera footage showing drug-dealing on the estate.
The incriminating DVD showed 24 people visiting Bates' home over a four-hour period and they can be seen exchanging money and drugs.
In one frame three men arriving at Bates' window are asked: "How much do you want?" while another shows what appears to be a white packet and a man is told: "Give me 25 and we'll call it straight."
The film was made from security camera footage recorded on to a DVD by brave next-door neighbour Adam Edwards, in a desperate bid to get something done about the troubled estate.
He called in the Observer to help his campaign and in May we published a front-page exclusive story exposing the drug-dealing.
Mr Edwards made an official statement to police and would have been a key witness in the case if Bates had pleaded not guilty.
He, his wife Leone, 27, and their two children Josh, three, and Rachel, one, became the victims of threats and abuse after Mr Edwards, 34, was labelled a "grass".
He said: "We are really relieved it's all over. Since Bates was arrested there has been a definite improvement on the estate. It used to be like a drugs supermarket with people queuing up at his house.
"All the law-abiding residents were angry. I wanted to show we do not tolerate drug dealing and bad behaviour on the estate.
"I don't like being called a grass but it's easier to explain that to my children than having to explain why there are drug dealers next door."
Sergeant Bob Eaton of Accrington Police, who worked with the Observer on the case, said: "This result is a triumph for the residents who weren't afraid to take a stand against someone who thought he was above the law.
"As soon as we saw the DVD we acted quickly and conducted a quality search. A lot of the evidence came from the original DVD and helped with Bates' arrest and conviction."
Bates pleaded guilty to possessing amphetamine, cannabis resin and cannabis bush with intent to supply and three allegations of possessing prohibited weapons, two gas canisters and a stun gun, at Burnley Crown Court on Wednesday.
He was remanded in custody until 18 October for pre-sentence reports.
