THREE MEN SENTENCED FOR DRUG OFFENCES ON PENARTH STREET

Three men have been sentenced for drug offences after officers stopped them in a street in Penarth.

Keiran Johns, Lee Hingston and Thomas Philp, were sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court last week, after they were stopped and searched by officers in Penarth last year.

Officers saw the three men acting suspiciously while on patrol in Paget Road on the 11th of September, 2017.

Johns was found in possession of a lock knife and around 6 grams of cocaine in 20 plastic snap bags.

Johns, aged 21, of Porth, Rhondda Cynon Taf, (pictured) was last week jailed for three years and three months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs – cocaine and having a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.

Hingston was found in possession of a crowbar, small electronic weighing scales and several plastic snap bags.

Hingston, aged 20, of Penarth, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply class B – amphetamine and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

He received nine months and three weeks imprisonment which was suspended for two years, 200 hours unpaid work and a curfew requirement.

Philp was found in possession of a multi-tool with a hammer attached, six tablets and a bag of white powder.

Philp, aged 19, of Penarth, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply – class B amphetamine, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and possession of a controlled drug of class C. He was given a 12 month and two weeks sentence suspended for two years, 200 hours of unpaid work and a curfew requirement.

Detective Sergeant Julian Kerslake said:

“These three men were arrested as a result of a stop and search in Penarth after officers saw them acting suspiciously. Officers found drugs but also offensive weapons – both have no place in our communities.

“Drugs continue to blight our local communities and we want to make it clear that the use and supply of controlled drugs in the Vale of Glamorgan will not be tolerated.

“We will stop, search and disrupt those who do deal drugs at every given opportunity.”

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity is urged to contact South Wales Police via 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.