Crime
Cardigan drug trafficker sentenced for carrying heroin ‘inside himself’
A DRUG trafficker has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after being caught traveling across South Wales with around £3,500-worth of heroin hidden inside himself.
Patrick Byrne was traveling with Daniel Meyler from Newport in Gwent back to Cardigan on October 16, 2021, when they were stopped by police on the A48 just before Cross Hands.
The pair had bought drugs in Newport with the intention of selling them back home. Officers believed that the duo had secreted the drugs in their rectums, and they were arrested and taken to Ammanford Police Station.
“[Byrne] produced a stool that contained a package that contained white powder,” said Ms. Jones, prosecuting. The 28.4 grams of powder – which was found to be diamorphine – was split into eight smaller packages and was estimated to have a street value of £3,500.
Byrne, 49, of Maes y Deri, admitted possessing a class A drug with intent to supply when he appeared at Swansea Crown Court in November. Meyler, 42, formerly of Williams Terrace in Cardigan, denied the charge, but was found guilty after a three-day trial last month.
He was jailed for four years and six months for the heroin supply, with eight months – running concurrently – for a charge of supplying cannabis which he admitted. Stuart John, in mitigation, said that Byrne had “battled with heroin addiction on and off since adolescence.”
“He was at the time a heroin user who had then engaged in the supply – as he has done in the past – predominantly to fund his own use of the drug,” he said.
Mr. John said the defendant losing his job and then losing his father just over a year later triggered a relapse into drug use. He said Byrne knew he was facing “a lengthy period in custody” and, having abstained from drugs since the offence, wanted to “utilise” his time in prison as “an opportunity to address these issues”.
Byrne has 33 previous convictions, including two for drug trafficking. Judge Catherine Richards sentenced Byrne to three years and nine months in prison.
Crime
Former Swansea Prison inmate died 48 hours after release
A FORMER Swansea Prison inmate died from combined drug toxicity just 48 hours after being released, an official investigation has found.
Jason Maynard, 43, left HMP Swansea on May 23, 2024. Two days later, he was pronounced dead by paramedics after being found unresponsive in the back of a friend’s car.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman report says Mr Maynard had been given overdose-reversal medication before leaving custody and warned about the heightened risk of overdose after a period of reduced drug tolerance.
After his release, he attended his first probation appointment and was placed in temporary hotel accommodation by Swansea Council.
The following day, police were called after concerns were raised that Mr Maynard had a cut above his eye and appeared incoherent. He refused hospital treatment and was taken to his mother’s home.
The report says he later used drugs and drank alcohol with friends. He then fell asleep in a car outside an address, where he was later found unresponsive.
Mr Maynard had missed a substance misuse appointment on May 24 but attended the service the next day. Staff noted he had “blue around his mouth”, which caused concern about possible drug use.
The Ombudsman found that prison, probation and support services had taken appropriate steps before and after his release.
Its findings said Mr Maynard had received suitable substance misuse support, had been referred for accommodation, and had licence conditions in place covering drug and alcohol use, engagement with services and drug testing.
The report concluded that the necessary referrals and support arrangements had been made, but Mr Maynard died later the same day he attended the community substance misuse service.
Crime
Police appeal after reported rape at Young Farmers rally
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an allegation of rape at a Young Farmers Club rally in Builth Wells.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident was reported to have taken place at Wernhalog Farm on Saturday, June 13.
Officers said it happened in the portaloo area sometime between 11:00pm and 11:45pm.
Anyone who witnessed anything, or who has information which could help the investigation, is asked to contact police.
Reports can be made online through the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through the Crimestoppers website.
Quote reference: 26*472649.
Crime
Dock woman given mental health treatment order after supermarket thefts
A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has been placed on a mental health treatment requirement after repeatedly stealing meat, cheese and other grocery items from local supermarkets.
Lisa Stewart, 45, admitted three theft offences when she appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
The first offence took place on March 11, when Stewart stole Vanish, Lenor and three packs of Persil capsules from Home Bargains in Pembroke Dock, with a total value of £58.41.
The following month, she stole four small beef joints, four steaks and three blocks of cheese from Asda in Pembroke Dock, worth £55.68.
Seven days later, she stole four legs of lamb from Farmfoods in Pembroke Dock, valued at £99.96.
Stewart, of Truscott House, London Road, Pembroke Dock, also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to police bail on or around May 26.
She was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who told magistrates the thefts involved items of relatively low value and were not the result of “sophisticated offending”.
“The defendant has had an exceptionally difficult time, as last year she lost her partner to cancer and has struggled profoundly to process that grief,” said Ms Harries.
“Instead, she has attempted to cope by taking more of her prescribed medication than she should. And this is what has led her to be here today.”
Ms Harries said Stewart is now motivated to address her issues.
Magistrates sentenced Stewart to an 18-month community order. She must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a 12-month mental health treatment requirement and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.
The order will include monthly reviews in court.
Stewart must also pay £214.05 compensation to the supermarkets, together with a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
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