Robert Parsons, 58, was caught on police drone footage dealing class A drugs in broad daylight next to a primary school in Middlesbrough. The footage, released by Cleveland Police, shows Parsons interacting with two individuals near a footbridge over the A66 at around 2pm on January 13, 2026. The school had previously reported suspected drug dealing to authorities.
Drone surveillance leads to arrest
Parsons, from West Lane in Middlesbrough, was observed by officers from the Middlesbrough Proactive Team taking a purple tub from his pocket and handing over suspected drugs to a man and a woman. He then walked away over the footbridge and down a woodland path while appearing to speak on his phone. The drone tracked him to an address, where a team of officers arrested him.
Bodycam footage shows a bewildered Parsons being handcuffed as an officer states he is under arrest 'on suspicion of being concerned in supplying class A drugs.' In his living room, the officer adds: 'Someone matching your description has just carried out what we suspect to be a drugs transaction, in the last 20 minutes or so.'
Search yields heroin and crack cocaine
During a search of Parsons' residence, officers located two purple tubs containing heroin and another tub hidden in an oven mitt containing crack cocaine. A second man, aged 55, was also arrested at the address in possession of a wrap of suspected crack cocaine.
Sentencing and police statement
On July 9, 2026, Parsons was sentenced to an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years at Teesside Crown Court after being charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Middlesbrough Proactive Team Sergeant John Sproson said: 'Not only was Parsons dealing drugs in broad daylight in central Middlesbrough, he was doing it near to a local primary school in view of young children. There was a blatant disregard shown for these children, and I am pleased that Parsons has now been sentenced.'
Of the technology used, he added: 'The police drone is an invaluable tool in our proactive approach to tackling crime in Middlesbrough; it is our eyes in the skies… and local criminals have been warned!'
