Crime

County lines gang operating from Chessington to west Wales jailed

Published

1 month ago

January 23, 2026

Two men imprisoned and another given a 31-month sentence while sentencing for a fourth defendant is delayed for reports

A COUNTY lines drug operation spanning Chessington to Swansea has been brought before the courts, with a judge saying those involved were driven by drug addiction and financial motives.

The defendants first appeared before the Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 11, 2025. Pre-trial preparations took place in October, and sentencing was dealt with at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Jan 23).

Judge Catherine Richards told the court the offending was fuelled by financial gain and serious substance misuse.

“Your motives were entirely financial, each driven by your considerable drug addictions,” she said.

Barrie Iylett, 58, was jailed for three years. The court heard he entered an early guilty plea and was addicted to crack cocaine and heroin at the time of the offence. He had previously worked as a plasterer but had been unable to work for six months before his arrest due to the extent of his addiction. His barrister said he had used his time in custody positively, was now drug-free, and intended to return to Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, where he planned to remain abstinent. He accepted he faced a substantial custodial sentence.

Joseph Billclough, 46, was also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. He was described as homeless and a heavy drug user at the time of the offence, and the court heard he had been involved in the operation for around nine months in order to fund his own drug habit. His legal representative said he was realistic about the position he was in. The court was told he had no other relevant convictions and that, for the first time in nearly 30 years, he was now drug-free.

Finlay Price Smallman, described as significantly younger than his co-defendants, received a custodial sentence of 31 months. The court heard he was a vulnerable drug user and that he had been homeless from the age of 15. His solicitor told the court his life was “a tale which is unfortunately too common,” adding that Smallman was “sick of the life he has been leading.” On release, he plans to live with his father and stepmother in the Hereford countryside and hopes to set up a burger van in the future.

Sentencing for Andrew Avraam was adjourned until Friday, Feb 13, 2026. Judge Richards ordered a pre-sentence report due to his lack of previous criminal history and evidence of mental health diagnoses including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The court also heard Avraam was a victim of modern slavery, which the judge said would need to be considered before sentence is passed.

Judge Richards said the court had taken account of the personal circumstances put forward on behalf of each defendant, but stressed the serious harm caused by county lines drug supply operations.

Crime

Driver accused of dangerous driving sent to Crown Court

Published

2 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Alleged incident in Ammanford

A MOTORIST accused of dangerous driving has been sent to the Crown Court following a hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Kyle Morgan, aged 27, of Heol Y Meinciau, Pontyates, appeared before magistrates on Thursday (Mar 5) charged with driving dangerously.

The court heard that the alleged offence took place on February 14 this year on Dyffryn Road, Ammanford.

Prosecutors allege that Morgan drove a motor vehicle in a manner that fell far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and that it would have been obvious to a competent driver that driving in that way was dangerous.

Dangerous driving is one of the most serious road traffic offences and carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a mandatory driving disqualification.

Magistrates were told that because of the seriousness of the allegation the case should be dealt with by the Crown Court.

Morgan was therefore sent to Swansea Crown Court where the case will proceed.

He was granted bail ahead of his next court appearance.

Crime

Witness intimidation allegation sent to Crown Court

Published

2 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant accused of confronting man connected to criminal case

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has been sent to the Crown Court after appearing before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with intimidating a witness connected to a criminal investigation.

Justin Griffiths, aged 41, of Brynhaul Street, Llanelli, appeared before magistrates on Thursday (Mar 5) accused of attempting to interfere with the course of justice.

The court heard that the alleged incident took place on February 10 this year in Llanelli.

Prosecutors allege that Griffiths approached and verbally confronted a man whom he knew to be a witness in an ongoing criminal matter. It is claimed that his behaviour was intended to intimidate the individual and discourage them from assisting the police investigation.

The charge states that Griffiths intimidated a witness in order to obstruct, pervert or interfere with the course of justice, contrary to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

Witness intimidation offences are treated particularly seriously by the courts because they can undermine the integrity of criminal proceedings and discourage victims or witnesses from coming forward.

Magistrates were told that because of the nature of the allegation and the potential seriousness of the offence, the case was unsuitable for summary trial.

The court therefore sent Griffiths to Swansea Crown Court, where the case will proceed.

He was granted bail ahead of his next appearance at the Crown Court.

Crime

Steelworks theft conspiracy case sent to Crown Court

Published

2 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Court Reporter

Tin ingot theft alleged

THREE men have been sent to the Crown Court accused of conspiring to steal valuable materials from the Tata Steel plant at Trostre.

The case was heard at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 5), where the defendants appeared charged with conspiracy to steal tin ingots from the Trostre Steelworks in Llanelli.

Prosecutors allege that the three men – Christopher Carter, aged 38, of Pemberton Road, Llanelli; Scott Phillips, aged 37, of Bryngwyn Road, Llanelli; and Gareth Lewis, aged 41, of Heol Stanllyd, Llanelli – entered into an agreement to steal quantities of tin ingots belonging to Tata Steel UK.

The alleged conspiracy is said to have taken place over an extended period between July 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024.

Tin ingots are a processed metal product used in steel coating and manufacturing, and the material produced at Trostre is widely used in the packaging industry, including food and drink containers.

The charge alleges that the defendants dishonestly agreed together to remove the metal from the steelworks without authority, contrary to section 1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.

Conspiracy offences are treated seriously by the courts as they involve agreements between two or more people to commit a criminal offence.

Because of the seriousness of the allegation and the potential value of the materials involved, magistrates ruled that the case was not suitable to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.

All three defendants were sent to Swansea Crown Court where the case will proceed.