Aberdare Man Jailed After £1,360 Crack Cocaine Seizure

A drug dealer was found in possession of more than £1,000 worth of crack cocaine after police raided his home last December. 🚨

Jonathan Hayton, 45, was visited by police at his partner’s home in Aberdare on December 18 last year when a drugs warrant was executed. The defendant was in the living room and claimed cash found in a pull out bed was the family’s Christmas money.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday heard that a further search led to the discovery of weighing scales, empty grip seal bags, £2,215 in cash and a white rock in a clear bag. This was examined and found to be 13.6g of crack cocaine with a value of £1,360.

Prosecutor Sophie Keegan said a phone was seized and was found to contain a “tick list” and messages were found on Facebook linked to the supply of crack cocaine, with customers asking for “rock.”

Hayton, of Erw Las, Penywaun, Aberdare, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs, being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, and possession of criminal property. The court heard he has 16 previous convictions, including offences of supplying heroin and possession of criminal property.

In mitigation, Jenny Yeo said her client had hoped to turn his life around and feels he has let himself down. She said he resumed drug taking after his former partner underwent an abortion without his knowledge, and began dealing to support his habit.

Judge Jeremy Jenkins sentenced Hayton to five years and seven months imprisonment. He will serve half the sentence in custody before he is released to serve the remainder on licence. ⚖️