Dominic Jeary (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
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A drug dealer who attempted to escape through an alleyway as officers arrived to raid his home has been hit with a confiscation order worth more than £2,000.
Dominic Jeary, 41, of Precelly Place, Milford Haven, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison at Swansea Crown Court in December after admitting being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession of cannabis, and possession of criminal property.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing has now ordered him to hand over £2,374.
The raid
On November 26, police attended Jeary’s address but the defendant refused to let them inside. He then bolted out the back of the property and into an alleyway, discarding the contents of his pockets over a fence as he ran.
Officers recovered £600 in cash, a snapbag of white powder, a wallet containing £4.95 and 20€, and an ID card.
A search of the property uncovered 9.27 grams of cocaine, 4.7 grams of cannabis, three canisters of nitrous oxide, three mobile phones, and three sets of weighing scales.
Prosecutor Caitlyn Jones told the court the cocaine had a street value of between £840 and £1,050, while the cannabis was valued at around £50.
Phone evidence
Jeary claimed the cash seized was left over from £1,000 his grandmother had transferred to him, and insisted he was not addicted to cocaine but used it recreationally at weekends.
However, analysis of his phone revealed he had been actively involved in dealing cocaine throughout the month before his arrest.
Previous offending
The court heard Jeary had 12 previous convictions spanning 24 offences, though his only prior drug-related matter was a possession of a Class B drug conviction in September 2010.
Defence arguments
Emily Bennett, representing Jeary, told the court her client had begun gambling and using drugs after losing his employment and suffering a family bereavement in the months leading up to his arrest. She said this had caused him to fall into debt, which led to him becoming involved in dealing.
Sentencing
Jailing Jeary, Judge Catherine Richards said: “You must have known if you were caught you would face a term of immediate imprisonment.”
Confiscation order
The prosecution subsequently brought a Proceeds of Crime Act application. Ms Jones said it was agreed Jeary had benefitted from his criminal conduct by £2,455, and that his available assets totalled £2,374.
These assets comprised the £600 in cash already held by police, a private number plate, and a vehicle.
Judge Richards made a confiscation order in the sum of £2,374. Ms Bennett said Jeary intended to take out a loan to pay the outstanding balance so he could retain his property.
