Kian Meredith (Image: South Wales Police)
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A 22-year-old who returned to supplying cocaine and crack while out on licence from a previous drug conspiracy conviction has been locked up after trying to outrun police.
Kian Meredith, of Caradog Place, Townhill, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court to three years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and simple possession of cocaine.
The chase
Officers on patrol in Prince of Wales Road on March 23 spotted a group of known drug users and witnessed what they believed to be a drug deal taking place. As police closed in, the group scattered in different directions. Meredith fled up the street towards Dyfatty junction before being located a short time later crouched behind two parked cars, with wraps of cocaine on the ground beside him. He was searched following his arrest, and officers seized a mobile phone and £115 in cash.
Phone evidence
Prosecutor Alexandra Wilson told the court that messages recovered from Meredith’s device revealed three months of cocaine and crack supply activity, alongside a so-called “tick list” recording debts owed by customers. Meredith gave “no comment” responses throughout his police interview.
Previous convictions
The court heard Meredith – also known as Kieran – already had two prior convictions covering three offences. He was convicted in 2021 of being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and in 2023 received three years’ detention in a young offenders institution for his role in the Jack line, a network supplying significant quantities of cocaine and heroin to users around Swansea. He was on licence from that sentence when caught dealing near the Palace Theatre.
Defence
Emily Bennett, for Meredith, said her client’s decision to run from officers reflected a lack of maturity. She told the court that, on her instructions, Meredith had relapsed into cocaine and crack use in January “for no particular reason”, triggering a “spiral” of addiction, debt, and dealing. She said the defendant was keen to use his time in custody constructively, to tackle his addiction, and to train as a barber “so he is in a better position when he comes out of prison”.
Sentencing
Judge Catherine Richards acknowledged that Meredith’s life had been blighted by drugs, but noted that by the age of just 22 he had now been caught dealing on three occasions, with the most recent offence aggravated by the fact he was on licence at the time. After applying a one-third discount for the guilty pleas, she handed down a sentence of three years and eight months. Meredith will serve 40% of the term in custody before being released on licence to complete the remainder in the community.
