Phillip Hildred (Image: North Wales Police)
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A man from Anglesey has been sent to prison for four years after being involved in the supply of class A drugs that fuelled his own addiction.
Phillip Hildred, 44, of Bryn Eithin, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday (April 14). He had previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property.
First A55 stop
Prosecutor Joseph Lees told the court that Hildred first came to police attention on August 12, 2022, when his vehicle was pulled over on the A55 and searched. Officers recovered two mobile phones, 10.2g of crack cocaine and 0.31g of heroin from inside.
A follow-up search at his address then uncovered 90.4g of heroin, “tick lists” and digital scales.
Second A55 stop
Just three months later, on November 12, 2022, he was back in police hands – this time as a passenger in a car being driven by his partner, which was also stopped on the A55. Officers seized £2,005 in cash and arrested him on suspicion of money laundering.
A second search of his home turned up a further 7.8g of heroin and 1.99g of crack cocaine.
Phone evidence
The investigation continued into 2024. On May 23 that year, Hildred was found in Bangor while wanted by police for other matters. Officers searched him, took £80 in cash and seized his mobile phone.
Analysis of the device uncovered a large quantity of messages consistent with cocaine supply between January and May 2024, including the personal sourcing of drugs and arrangements to supply others.
The court heard Hildred had three previous convictions for five offences, including cultivating cannabis.
Defence arguments
Representing him, Richard Edwards said Hildred had been “heavily addicted to class A drugs” in 2022 but had “rehabilitated over the last three years”.
He told the court his client, a father, had been “supplying through threats, and to fund his own habit”, and asked that his guilty pleas and “genuine remorse” be taken into account.
Sentencing
Passing a four-year prison sentence, Judge Simon Mills told Hildred: “These are very serious offences, because of the impact drug suppliers have on people like you.
“I’m afraid we see people with your story day in, day out.
“You’ve made your life more complicated by being caught so many times.”
