Lee Anderson-Warnes (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
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A hotel receptionist in Aberystwyth discovered two men lying unconscious in their room, surrounded by drug paraphernalia – prompting a police call that would uncover evidence of a drug supply operation.
Lee Anderson-Warnes, 28, from Parc Y Dressig, Whitland, Carmarthenshire, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on February 19 after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine.
The discovery
Sian Cutter, prosecuting, told the court that on October 16, 2024, police were called to a hotel in Aberystwyth over concerns for the welfare of two men. When officers arrived, they found Anderson-Warnes lying on the bed, with both men surrounded by drug paraphernalia including heroin and diazepam.
Phone evidence
Two phones were seized from the scene. Messages found on Anderson-Warnes’ phone, dating from September 2024 up to the time of his arrest, related directly to the supply of heroin and cocaine.
Mr Cutter said the messages showed Anderson-Warnes was the person making deliveries, had provided his own bank details within the exchanges, and had been in contact with seven people about drugs. The court heard Anderson-Warnes told his father he was not making any money from the enterprise, and Mr Cutter confirmed he had made no significant financial gain from the supply.
Previous offending
Anderson-Warnes has nine previous convictions for 13 offences, including possession of cannabis, criminal damage, and burglary.
Defence arguments
Jonathan Tarrant, representing Anderson-Warnes, described his client’s path into supply as a “cliched story” of someone with drug problems who then fell into dealing. He said Anderson-Warnes had limited previous convictions of direct relevance but acknowledged drugs and alcohol had played a role throughout his offending. Mr Tarrant added it was a “short and limited period of supply”.
The court also heard that Anderson-Warnes’ father has “significant mobility issues” and is sometimes unable to walk, with the defendant spending the majority of his time as his carer.
Sentencing
Judge Huw Rees noted that Anderson-Warnes had become depressed following the death of his partner in 2023, which led to increased drug use and a growing debt to his supplier.
Judge Rees said: “That increased your drug debt and you had to work for our supplier to pay off your debt. It’s a story the court hears very often.
“You should at 28 realise how young you are and that you are wasting your future in getting involved with drugs. The choice is entirely yours and you know that the sentence will increase if you are caught again.”
Anderson-Warnes was sentenced to 22 months in prison.
