A man caught driving while banned with cocaine in his car has been jailed for three years and nine months after messages on his phone showed he was a dealer.
Gavin Meek, 37, of Railway Street, Llanhilleth, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court, where he was also banned from driving for five years and four months.
The charges
Meek pleaded guilty to:
- Being concerned in the supply of cocaine
- Possession with intent to supply cocaine
- Possession of cocaine
- Driving whilst disqualified
- Driving without insurance
Stopped on the A467
Prosecuting, Abdallah Barakat told the court that officers patrolling Abertillery on the evening of January 28 tried to stop a BMW travelling south on the A467 after it flagged up on their system. The car eventually came to a halt on Bournville Road.
Searching the vehicle, officers found a plastic bag and a tub, both holding white powder, as well as an empty snap bag with white residue inside. Testing later showed the powder was 7.7 grams and 1.93 grams of cocaine, with a purity of 91 per cent.
Meek, who was driving, was arrested and his phone was seized. At the time he was still serving a driving ban of just over six years, handed to him in April 2022.
Messages on his phone
Analysis of the phone uncovered Facebook Messenger chats showing Meek was involved in supplying cocaine. He had sent out messages reading “active” with a snowflake emoji, indicating he had cocaine available to buy. There was also a message thread for regular customers.
Escape attempt at his home
When officers went to Meek’s home to arrest him on March 20, he tried to escape through the garden while they knocked on the door. Officers posted at the back of the house detained him.
Before the arrest, officers noticed him fumbling in his pocket. When they searched the spot where he had been standing, they found a small quantity of cocaine.
Previous convictions
The court heard Meek had 11 previous convictions for 30 offences. These included causing death by dangerous driving, dangerous driving and several convictions for driving whilst disqualified.
Defence arguments
Tabitha Walker, mitigating, said: “This is underpinned by a long-standing substance abuse issue.”
She explained that Meek had at one point been using “between £300 and £400 worth of cocaine a day”, which pushed him into debt.
“He said this is the worst mistake he’s made in his life,” Ms Walker said.
She added that he had since got his addiction “under control” and had been sober for seven months.
Sentencing
Recorder Paul Lewis KC said: “His record for motoring matters is appalling.
“Time and time again he has driven whilst disqualified and without insurance.”
He jailed Meek for three years and nine months and banned him from driving for five years and four months.
