Lloyd Bailey (Image: Gwent Police)
Last Updated: 2 minutes ago
A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to almost three years behind bars after officers uncovered a stash of cocaine at a property he shared with his girlfriend and her two young children.
Lloyd Bailey, of Otters Close, Bettws, Newport, admitted possessing class A drugs with intent to supply following the raid on March 20.
What officers found
When police arrived at the Newport address, Bailey immediately told them they would find cocaine at the property. A search of the living room uncovered 21.48g of the drug hidden inside a cupboard drawer, which had been divided into 71 individual street deals.
Prosecutor Heath Edwards told Cardiff Crown Court the haul was worth between £1,420 and £2,480.
Officers also recovered scales, grip seal bags, and equipment used for converting cocaine into crack cocaine.
Phone evidence
A Nokia mobile phone seized during the operation contained messages linking Bailey to the supply of cocaine.
Mr Edwards highlighted that the drugs had been kept at the home of Bailey’s girlfriend, where her two young children also lived.
Defence arguments
Speaking in mitigation, David Pinnell said his client was “determined” to overcome addictions which had “plagued” him during stressful periods of his life.
The barrister told the court that Bailey had returned drug-free tests while on remand in prison and was committed to turning his life around. The court also heard he had no prior convictions for drug offences.
Sentencing
Judge Paul Hobson sentenced Bailey to 32 months’ imprisonment at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday, May 20. He had pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
