Drug dealer caught at children's playground in Shrewsbury

Jonathan Woolley was arrested by officers who had been carrying out surveillance in Shrewsbury following a tip-off.

A court heard that the 25-year-old had £500 cash in his pocket and more than 40 wraps of crack cocaine and heroin were seized during the incident.

The drugs are said to have a street value of up to £750.

Mr Shawn Williams, prosecuting, told the hearing at Telford Magistrates Court: “On April 3 officers carried out a plain-clothed operation in the Ditherington area of Shrewsbury following information that drug users were attempting to get drugs in the area.

“At 12.20pm the police officers observed a male behind a small children’s park with another man.

“A white transit van turned up and they watched the defendant approach it and speak to the driver.

“The officers also approached the van and he attempted to run away and was restrained on the ground.

“The van made off and was subsequently stopped by uniformed officers and the driver arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.

“A search was carried out and £500 in cash was found the defendant’s pocket with 15 brown wraps and 24 white wraps along with several more substances wrapped in cling film. A samurai sword and a mobile phone were also found.

“The drugs had a street value of between £500 and £750. This was actual drug dealing in the area where children frequent.”

Miss Lisa Morris-Jones, defending, said her client had mental health issues and asked the bench to commit the matter to Shrewsbury Crown Court for sentencing on a date to be fixed.

However, an application to bail Woolley to an address, in Warburton Road, Dudley, was denied by the magistrates who remanded him in custody.

Woolley, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to offences of possession of an offensive weapon, possession of criminal property, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply heroin.

He told the magistrates: “I want to apologise for what happened.”