AN EX-SOLDIER was so desperate for drugs that he tried to inject himself with heroin before police could force their way into his room to arrest him, a court heard.

Adam Rogers, aged 36 and of Ruabon Road, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Monday for sentence, alongside 20-year-old Dominic Dang, of Adlem Road in Liverpool.

Both had previously been convicted of possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin, with Dang also having admitted an extra charge of acquiring or possessing criminal property.

Paulinus Barnes, prosecuting, told the court that at around 7.40am on the morning of October 5, 2020, police searched a house of multiple occupation in Ruabon Road where rogers lived.

When they forced entry into his room, he and Dang were found inside - with Rogers trying to inject himself with a syringe.

READ MORE: Thief jailed after buying himself stolen sunglasses in Wrexham pub

Police got the item away from him, at which point he became abusive.

Numerous syringes and items of drug paraphernalia were found in the room, as well as a mobile phone which contained evidence of drug dealing.

Also found in the room was almost £2,000 worth of heroin.

Dang was found to have more than £1,400 in his possession and when questioned by officers he volunteered the fact he had "some drugs concealed in the cheeks of his backside," Mr Barnes said.

A bag of crack cocaine worth more than £1,700 was recovered from him.

Oliver King, defending Rogers, said: "When police put in the door and went in, he was trying to inject himself with heroin and was annoyed when police stopped him - he'd really reached rock bottom.

The Leader: Adam Rogers. Image: North Wales PoliceAdam Rogers. Image: North Wales Police

"He'd been in the Welsh Guards and had served his country. He was a good soldier.

"As as result of what he experienced and saw, he felt depressed and drugs were a way of coping with these feelings."

Mr King said his client had been taking opportunities whilst in custody to seek help for his drug use.

Stuart Mills, defending Dang, said: "He cooperated with the police in every way, voluntarily handing over concealed drugs.

"He had accrued a debt and he maintains he was a subject of exploitation.

"He has always appreciated that class A drug dealing means prison and he clearly has a lot of growing up still to do.

"But his offending can be addressed by the probation service."

The court also heard Dang had no previous convictions, whereas Rogers had 36 convictions for 62 offences.

READ MORE: Flint man caught drink-driving claimed to be 'helping asthmatic partner'

Describing the pair as street dealers, Judge Nicola Saffman told the defendants: "When Police executed a warrant at your home Mr Rogers, such was your dire drug addiction at the time that  your first instinct was to inject yourself.

"You served your country as a soldier and in combat you saw things which caused you significant trauma, which led you to take drugs in the first place."

Due to that "significant mitigation," the Judge opted to hand Rogers a custodial term of two year and four months, having also applied credit for his guilty plea.

Dang received a two year custodial sentence, but Judge Saffman suspended it for two years.

He must undertake 45 days of rehabilitation work and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Make sure you don't miss the top court stories of the week by signing up to our free court newsletter