Teen Jailed for Heroin Dealing After Sock Discovery

A teenager was sentenced to 21 months in a young offender institution after being caught with 34 wraps of heroin hidden in a sock during a police raid at his grandparents’ Newport home. 💊⚖️

Jackson Walker, 18, of Hendre Farm Drive, threw the package out of a window just before his arrest in April, but officers recovered the drugs with an estimated street value of £1,360.

The defendant told police: “I’m going to jail. Take me to jail.”

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Walker was dealing drugs just months after receiving a referral order in youth court last October for selling heroin, cocaine and cannabis. Police also seized more than £2,000 in cash and designer trainers during the raid, though Walker claimed he bought the footwear with inheritance money from his late father.

Walker began taking drugs at just 15 years old and admitted possession with intent to supply heroin and simple possession of cannabis.

His barrister Hannah Friedman said in mitigation: “The defendant pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity. He was misusing cocaine and cannabis at the time. The defendant had built up a debt and he wanted to repay that debt. He did feel some pressure from this about the amount he owed, but he admits no force was used, and he says he thought this was an easy way to make money.”

Judge Rhys Rowlands told Walker: “Despite being given a chance in October 2024, within months of that opportunity, you have been brought before this court. This was street level supply and there are aspects of you playing a significant role here. It’s a depressing feature of this case is that you started taking drugs when you were only 15.”

The judge said an immediate custodial sentence was unavoidable. Walker is due to face a proceeds of crime hearing later this year.