Cannabis in car man is jailed for one year

Peter John Roberts, 35, was the driver of a car stopped by police in the early hours of February 15 near Newtown.

In the boot officers found 460g of cannabis, together with £1,100 in cash and a mobile phone. Incriminating text messages were found on the phone, Mold Crown Court heard yesterday.

Roberts, of Selroft Avenue, Birmingham, admitted possessing the Class B drug with intent to supply and was jailed for 12 months. Judge Rhys Rowlands told him: "We are dealing here with quite a significant amount of cannabis.

Consequences

"You knew the risk you were taking and you were prepared to take that risk. You must now face the consequences."

The court heard how police on mobile patrol on February 15 saw a car travelling in the Kerry area and decided to follow it.

There were three occupants, the car was registered in the West Midlands and the defendant was the driver.

Mr Nicholas Williams, prosecuting, said there was a strong smell of cannabis in the vehicle. When told the car would be searched, the defendant produced a tin of cannabis which he said was for his own use.

But when the boot was searched a bin bag the size of a small cushion was found which contained 460g of cannabis with an estimated street value of £4,600.

Mr Simon Mintz, defending, accepted some cannabis would have been supplied.

Roberts gave evidence on oath a criminal record attached to him by the prosecution after a live-scan finger print check were not his but those of his identical twin brother.

An agreed order was made under The Proceeds of Crime Act that his criminal benefit had been £5,700.

Judge Rowlands made a confiscation order for £1,130, the cash seized.