Couple caught trying to take cocaine into club

A MAN has been jailed for attempting to deal cocaine at this year’s Porthcawl Elvis Festival.

Ricki Williams, 28, from Merthyr Tydfil, along with Lauren Jones, 23, was caught attempting to sneak over £2,500 worth of cocaine into the Streets nightclub in the seaside town.

The incident took place on what was the then couple’s third date after having met on Facebook. Jones was called “naive” for becoming involved.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Williams, from Pantyffyn Road, Merthyr Tydfil, asked Jones to put a bag of the class A drug into her handbag.

When her bag was searched, he grabbed it and attempted to run from the premises.

Prosecutor Jason Howells told the court: “She tried to sneak past the doorman and seemed unwilling to open her bag when asked to.

“There were three sections to her bag and the middle was zipped shut. Inside they could see a doggy mess bag with some white powder inside.

“Mr Williams then took the bag and ran towards the smoking shelter looking for an exit and was tackled by security staff. The pair were then walked to Porthcawl Police Station as no van was available.”

In total, the cocaine found on both Williams and Jones had a street value of up to £2,600.

Williams admitted the possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

The court was told he has 18 previous convictions and previously served a three-year sentence for supplying cocaine.

Speaking on behalf of Williams, Ruth Smith said: “There was one short attempt to take the drugs away but it was a spur of the moment decision.

“He has previously had problems with cocaine. He had started an IT recruitment business and resumed contact with his two children.

“Six months prior to the event, he had lost a number of contracts and the business fell away from him. He had taken more cocaine and had a drug debt of £2,500.”

It was claimed that the dealing of the drugs was to pay off this debt.

Speaking on behalf of Jones, solicitor Rosaline Rutter spoke about the people who rely on Jones and would suffer if she faced time in jail.

She said: “She has a young daughter and is the registered carer for the terminally ill grandmother, who relies on her. There are two people who are wholly dependent on her. She is a young lady of good character.”

She said of their short-lived relationship: “It was during the Elvis festival. They had met a mere eight days before, through Facebook.

“The intention of Miss Jones is that this would turn into a romantic relationship. He drove a BMW and would pay for drinks. She was naive.”

In sentencing, Recorder Judge PK Lewis told Williams: “It is quite clear we are dealing with people with different levels of culpability.

“You are here because on September 23 you went to a nightclub with the intention to supply the customers of that night club.

“You tried to intervene and run from the premises. The total of the cocaine was 25g and could be in excess of £2,000.

“There is aggravation for your previous convictions so I sentence you to four years imprisonment.”

In sentencing Jones, of Brynhawddgar, Swansea, he called her “very fortunate”.

“I am mindful that not only are you a single mother of a young child, but also your grandmother’s primary carer,” he said.

“I also have it firmly in mind that you were recruited that night. You have no previous convictions. I sentence you to 18 months suspended for two years. You are very fortunate. You came very close to going to prison for quite a long time.”