A Cardiff drug dealer has been sentenced to prison after his phone revealed text messages advertising the sale of crack cocaine. 📱
Lydell Waithe, 39, of Elmfield Close, Trowbridge, was arrested following a drugs warrant executed at his home on November 5 last year. When police examined his seized phone, they discovered it was being used as a drugs line to send “text bombs” advertising crack cocaine to over 140 contacts.
A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Wednesday heard that Waithe had sold crack cocaine over a five-day period. When interviewed by police, he answered “no comment” to all questions.
The court heard that Waithe, who has 17 previous convictions including possession of cannabis and public order offences, later pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
In mitigation, it was stated that Waithe helps care for his mother-in-law and takes his son to school in the mornings. His defence explained that he turned to dealing to pay off a £3,000 debt related to his own drug use. The court also heard he has been offered employment in asbestos removal upon his release from prison.
During sentencing, Judge Carl Harrison told Waithe: “You advertised high quality crack cocaine to over 140 contacts and over a period of five days you sold crack cocaine. The reason put forward was to pay off a debt of £3,000.”
Waithe was sentenced to three years and two months imprisonment. He will serve half the sentence in custody before being released on licence for the remainder. ⚖️
