'Black Dee' and other Benefits Street residents charged with drugs offences
BENEFITS Street's notorious 'Black Dee' has been charged alongside other residents with drug offences, following a series of police raids last year.
Samora Roberts, 32, who is known as Black Dee, stars in Channel 4's Benefits Street, which follows the residents of James Turner Street in Winson Green, Birmingham.
The street is said to one of the most benefit-dependent streets in the country.
Roberts was charged with conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug, conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug (crack cocaine), possession of a Class A controlled drug (diamorphine) and possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.
West Midlands Police raided a number of addresses on James Turner Street last June following concerns raised by the local community.
Six others were also charged with drugs-related offences.
Tina Thomas, 46, of James Turner Street, was charged with conspiracy to supply Class B drugs (cannabis) and possession of ammunition without a certificate.
Charlene Wilson, 29, of James Turner Street, was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (crack cocaine) and Class B drugs (cannabis) and possession of diamorphine.
Ian Wright, 38, of James Turner Street, was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (crack cocaine) and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs (cannabis).
Monique Walker, 28, of James Turner Street, was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (crack cocaine).
Marvin Scott, 37, of James Turner Street, was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (crack cocaine).
Omari George, 20, of Dora Road, Handsworth, was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (crack cocaine) and Class B drugs (cannabis).
Some residents have criticised the controversial documentary for misrepresenting the area.
Resident Ellen Mulholland said C4 “represented the area badly”.
However, a show spokesman insisted that it was "a fair reflection of reality of life on a street where the majority of households receive benefits”.