Dealer caught with £1,460 crack cocaine jailed

A drug dealer who was found with more than £1,000 worth of crack cocaine after being pulled over by police later went on to assault his partner by throwing her into a radiator.

Lee Austin, 35, was driving a Ford Fiesta in Talbot Green on January 7 last year when the vehicle – known to police for its association with drug users – was stopped. His co-dealer, 21-year-old Tegan Smith, was a passenger in the car, which had pulled into Lanelay Rise and parked up.

Officers detained Austin inside the vehicle, but Smith attempted to flee. He was carrying a blue Nike shoulder bag and discarded his coat as police gave chase. Smith then threw the bag and the cap he was wearing before managing to evade capture.

When the Nike bag was examined, it was found to contain multiple wraps of crack cocaine along with £105 in cash. A search of Austin revealed he had a wrap of crack cocaine and an iPhone on his person. DNA recovered from Smith’s discarded clothing was later matched to his profile.

Prosecutor Harriet Ealden told a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, February 5, that the seized crack cocaine amounted to 73 street deals with a total value of £1,460.

Austin’s phone was also examined, revealing messages spanning from February 2024 to January 2025 that included text bombs advertising the sale of crack cocaine. The messages pointed to an established customer base rather than isolated deals.

Assault on partner

Ms Ealden said Austin was also to be dealt with for assaulting his partner in the early hours of May 11. During an argument, he grabbed her by the chest and arms and threw her away from him, causing her to fall. The argument continued and he grabbed the victim to the top of her body and threw her into a radiator, causing her to hit her head.

Austin, of HMP Swansea, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, possession of class A drugs, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Smith, of HMP Parc, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

The court heard Austin has two previous convictions, including an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a drug offence.

In mitigation, William Bebb said his client has had “time to think about his actions.” He said the defendant has had issues with his mental health, which led to him using and selling drugs, but he wants to be in a position to support his son.

Sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “When you decided to go out and deal crack cocaine you knew precisely what would happen if you got caught. You decided to make easy money but if caught you’d have to serve a custodial sentence.”

Austin was sentenced to three years and two months imprisonment and was made subject to a restraining order for four years.

Smith was sentenced to two years imprisonment on Tuesday, February 10, after his sentence had previously been adjourned.