Magistrates decline jurisdiction after more than 20 grams of Class A drugs and £2,610 in cash found in vehicle

A FISHGUARD man has been sent to Crown Court for sentence after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

Rhun Francis, 53, of Penbanc, Fishguard, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing cannabis and possessing criminal property, namely £2,610 in cash.

The court heard that Francis was stopped and searched by police while driving on August 13.

Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker said that when officers asked if there were drugs in the vehicle, Francis immediately produced two bags of white powder from the front console and placed them on the driver’s seat.

“A further wrapper of cocaine was found in a wallet in the vehicle,” she said.

The total drugs recovered amounted to 20.79 grams of cocaine and 17 grams of cannabis.

The court was told that during police interview Francis admitted having “a big problem with cocaine use”.

“People ask him to get them some, and he supplies up to seven people fairly regularly,” said Ms Baker.

“He only supplies a few grams at a time and charges £95 for a gram and £50 for a half.

“He uses up to 50 per cent of what he buys for his personal use and then he sells the rest.”

Francis was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said the offending involved a limited number of users and was driven by the defendant’s own addiction.

“The amount of dealing is limited to a maximum of seven people and was only used to facilitate his own habit,” he said.

“The amount of drugs found was relatively small and the cash found in his possession would have gone on to purchase more cocaine. But the vast majority of this money was left over from a building job carried out at his property. His phone analysis corroborates with this.”

Because of the seriousness of the offences, magistrates declined jurisdiction.

Francis will now be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on May 5. He was released on unconditional bail.

Court hears defendant had taken drug days before funeral of partner’s grandfather

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been banned from the roads after police found cocaine in his system during a roadside stop-check.

Jacob Payne, 27, of Back Lane, Haverfordwest, was stopped by officers carrying out checks at St Thomas Green at around 4:30pm on December 4.

Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week that officers could smell cannabis coming from inside the vehicle.

“When spoken to, the defendant admitted taking an illegal drug a few days prior to being stopped,” she said.

A roadside drugs wipe tested positive for cocaine. Further blood analysis later showed the lowest benzoylecgonine reading was 96 microgrammes per litre of blood. The legal limit is 50.

Payne pleaded guilty to drug-driving.

His solicitor, Jess Hill, told the court the offence took place on the same day as his partner’s grandfather’s funeral.

“It was an emotional day all round,” she said.

“He’d taken cocaine whilst socialising a few days before and doesn’t often use it. But he’s easily influenced by others, and this was why he took it.”

Magistrates disqualified Payne from driving for 38 months.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

In addition, Payne was made subject to a 12-month community order during which he must complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Court hears Haverfordwest defendant was in severe mental distress and carrying razors to harm herself

A HAVERFORDWEST woman who contacted emergency services while in severe mental distress has been sentenced after admitting possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Danni Sandow, 22, of Three Meadows, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week following an incident on March 28.

Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told the court that police were contacted by Withybush Hospital after Sandow told the Crisis team she was intending to go to the railway line.

“Extensive searches were carried out, but police then received a call from the woman saying she was on the road bridge at Clay Lane in Haverfordwest, and was carrying razor blades,” she said.

“The woman is known to carry multiple blades in her purse. Multiple attempts were made by the officers to convince the woman to return to the hospital but she failed to agree and was subsequently arrested.”

Sandow pleaded guilty to possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Her solicitor, Tom Lloyd, told magistrates that the blades were being carried solely for the purpose of self-harm and not to threaten anyone else.

“This is a woman who had those blades on her with the sole purpose of causing harm to herself,” he said.

“She called the police because she needed their support and when she refused to return to the hospital, she was arrested.

“On previous occasions, the officers didn’t pursue the matter, but on March 28 the defendant was particularly unwell.

“This is a troubled young woman who found herself in a very bad psychological frame of mind. She contacted the police so that they could assist her and wasn’t inflicting harm on anyone else.”

Mr Lloyd added that Sandow has recently received a significant mental health diagnosis and is now receiving medical and psychological support.

Magistrates sentenced her to a 24-month community order to allow her treatment to continue. She was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.