The Bohemian Drug Dealer: How a Free-Spirited Chef's Walter Mitty Lifestyle Led Him Down a Dark Path

Toby Bach, a 31-year-old chef and food bank volunteer from York, was not the man his community thought he was. Behind the warm smile that greeted colleagues at the Trussell Trust food bank was a secret life that unraveled in a York Crown Court room, revealing a tale of drugs, deception, and a misguided "Bohemian attitude" that nearly cost him his freedom.

Bach, described by those who knew him as a well-liked and jovial character, managed to lead a double life as both a community helper and a drug dealer. His facade crumbled when police, acting on a tip, raided his home in April 2022. They were shocked to discover a stash of illicit substances, including over 105 grams of magic mushrooms, THC-infused vape cartridges, cannabis, and even prescription drugs like Diazepam. The operation he ran was far from small-scale; the street value of his drugs was estimated at over £3,000.

As the evidence mounted against him, it became clear that Bach had been operating his drug enterprise for years, dating back to at least 2018. Texts recovered from his phone showed he was a "one-stop shop" for a variety of illegal substances, with messages detailing product offerings and customer debts. Yet, when confronted with his crimes, Bach refused to unlock his phone, maintaining a defiant silence even as his world collapsed around him.

The court heard how Bach, who lived on Darnborough Street, York, had meticulously orchestrated his dealings, unbeknownst to his colleagues and friends. He was a man living two lives—by day, a chef and food bank worker; by night, a dealer in psychoactive drugs. This dichotomy was not lost on Judge Sean Morris, who likened Bach to a "Walter Mitty" character—a reference to the fictional man who leads a vivid fantasy life to escape his mundane reality.

"You should hang your head in shame," Judge Morris told Bach. "You are a bit of an odd character—in my view, a bit of a Walter Mitty. You turned yourself into a little part-time dealer, damaging the community with your Bohemian attitude towards life."

This "Bohemian attitude," as the judge described it, painted a picture of a man who lived on the edge, embracing a free-spirited lifestyle that ultimately led him into criminality. Bach's involvement with magic mushrooms and other substances was symptomatic of his detachment from societal norms, leading him to justify his actions as part of an alternative, nonconformist way of living.

Despite the seriousness of his crimes, Bach managed to avoid prison. His guilty plea, combined with numerous character references from the community, helped persuade the judge to impose a two-year suspended sentence with 300 hours of unpaid work. The court recognized that Bach's drug dealing was "tailing off" at the time of his arrest and that he had a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation."

"You leave this court a convicted criminal, with all the shame that brings on you—all thanks to cannabis and magic mushrooms," Judge Morris concluded.

Toby Bach's story serves as a cautionary tale of how a seemingly benign Bohemian lifestyle can spiral into a life of crime. His journey from a respected community worker to a convicted drug dealer is a stark reminder of the dangers of living a double life and the heavy toll it takes on both the individual and the community.

Do you think Toby Bach's "Bohemian attitude" should have been taken into account in his sentencing?

• Yes, it shows he was misguided but not malicious.
• No, his crimes deserved a harsher punishment.
• Maybe, but only because of his community service.