Barry Drug Dealer Pays Back £3k Despite £13k Benefit

A Barry drug dealer who benefited by more than £13,000 from cannabis dealing has been ordered to pay back just £3,000 after police found him with drugs worth up to £3,300.

Lee Dickenson, 22, was stopped by officers on patrol in Barry on March 18, 2023, after he matched the description of a man they were looking for. He was detained and found to be in possession of cannabis and a mobile phone which were seized.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the defendant was taken to Cardiff Bay police station and a message was found on his phone which read: “3.5 cash now.”

A search of Dickenson’s address resulted in the discovery of further bags of cannabis, a small amount of cocaine, paraphernalia, 11 mobile phones and cash. The total weight of cannabis came to 435.7g with a street value between £1,800 and £3,300.

Further messages were discovered which linked the defendant with the sale of cannabis and of him directing another person.

Dickenson, of Cei’r Dwyrain, Barry, later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of cocaine. He was already serving three years and nine months imprisonment for possession with intent to supply class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

In mitigation, Emma Harris said her client had a difficult childhood and lived a “transient lifestyle.” She said the defendant had difficulty with drugs which led to him falling into debt.

Judge Daniel Williams sentenced Dickenson, who refused to appear in court from prison, to eight months behind bars to be served concurrently with his current term.

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday, May 23, heard Dickenson benefited to the tune of £13,551 as a result of his offending. But the only assets available to him were worth just £3,129.

Judge Williams ordered the defendant to pay that sum within three months or serve an additional three months imprisonment in default. 📱