Cwmbran dealer jailed weeks into suspended sentence

A young drug dealer was caught dealing again just weeks into a suspended custodial sentence for similar offences.

Alfie Powell, 20, from Cwmbran was lucky to escape going straight into a young offender institution this summer. He was handed a suspended 24-month term in July for supplying cocaine and cannabis.

But he didn’t take his break and was arrested with 82g of cannabis in Pontypool on 17 August, Cardiff Crown Court was told. The class B drugs had a potential value of between £650 and £780 on the street, Tabitha Walker, prosecuting, said.

When he was questioned by police, Powell initially gave them a prepared statement to claim the cannabis was for his own personal use.

The defendant, of Maes Y Nico, Pontnewydd later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply the class B drug.

His barrister Daniel Jones said in mitigation: “He’s very realistic about what’s going to happen today and he has been using his time in custody constructively. The defendant has been teaching English to other prisoners and has been working in the kitchen.”

Mr Jones added: “He’s made poor mistakes and had been associating with the wrong type of people. The defendant had a tough upbringing and endured a very unhappy childhood. He wants to get his head down, serve his time and live a law-abiding life.”

Judge Eugene Egan told Powell: “You were arrested after running away from the police and you were pursued on foot. This was just weeks – 29 days – into a suspended custodial sentence for similar offences.”

The judge activated the suspended sentence in full and handed him a consecutive term of four months. That means Powell’s total sentence was 28 months in a young offender institution. He will serve half of that in custody and the time he has spent on remand would count towards it.

Before he was taken down to the cells, Judge Egan said to him: “You have indicated that you intend to turn over a new leaf – I hope that is true.”

Powell’s co-defendant, Bradley Court, 21, of Llandegfedd Way, New Inn, Pontypool was conditionally discharged for 12 months after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis on the same date.