A TEENAGER has been jailed after a stop and search at a Wrexham AFC match uncovered his drug dealing.

Gareth Roberts, of Sixth Avenue in Llay, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday morning, via video link from HMP Berwyn.

The 19-year-old had been convicted at a previous hearing of possession with intent to supply cocaine, being concerned in the supply of ketamine, possession of cannabis and possession of ketamine.

Rosemary Proctor, prosecuting, told the court that on March 22 last year, Roberts attended a match at the Racecourse in Wrexham.

He was searched by police at the ground and was found to have a small bag of white powder with him, as well as a 'cannabis cigarette' and further blue bags containing white powder.

His phone was seized and he was taken to custody.

Whilst that was happening, officers searched his home address and found snap bags, two more phones and cannabis.

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He answered no comment to most questions when interviewed.

The white powder seized turned out to be a quantity of cocaine worth around £20, eight loose bags of "extremely low purity cocaine" worth up to £320 and six more bags of cocaine worth up to £120.

Officers downloaded the contents of the phone seized at the Racecourse and found messages indicative of drugs supply.

A few months later, police attended Roberts' address and searched his room.

The Leader: Gareth Roberts (NWP)Gareth Roberts (NWP) (Image: NWP)

They found and seized herbal cannabis and drugs paraphernalia including a rolled-up £10 note with white powder on it, as well as another phone.

In a prepared statement following his arrest, Roberts said he was a user of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.

Then in October, police arrested him for an unrelated matter and seized yet another phone from him, with the contents indicating further cocaine and ketamine supply.

Videos recovered from the device showed the defendant speaking to the camera, explaining he'd just been searched by the police but they "didn't find a bag of gear" he was hiding in his underwear.

Another showed him speaking to the camera, saying it is "grim to be out early in the morning dealing drugs," but that he "can't complain" - before showing a roll of cash.

In interview, Roberts claimed he'd become involved in drugs supply at the age of 16 through intimidation and coercion.

Maria Masselis, defending, conceded that her client was "very immature," but that since first meeting him last year she has "noted considerable change in him."

"He has traits of ADHD," she explained, "and is impressionable.

The Leader:

"Three of the four offences were committed when he was 17 and the purity of the cocaine was exceptionally low.

"There is a clear risk here that he was being taken advantage of."

Ms Masselis asked the court to take into account the fact her client had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and that there had been a delay in bringing the case to court.

Judge Rhys Rowlands handed down a 10-month custodial sentence, to be served immediately.