A MAN who claims he was pressured into drug dealing after getting into debt in prison has been put back behind bars.

Alex Williams, of Bryn Hafod in Wrexham, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday morning.

The 26-year-old had previously admitted two offences of possession with intent to supply (heroin and cocaine) and at Thursday's hearing he admitted two further offences of being concerned in the supply of those same substances.

Ryan Rothwell, prosecuting, told the court that on March 7 this year, police searched the defendant's home following an investigation into county lines drug dealing.

A quantity of heroin and cocaine were found in the toilet.

Also found was a Nokia mobile phone, which when analysed along with the drugs resulted in Williams' charges.

The Leader: Alex Williams (NWP)Alex Williams (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)The defendant had entered his pleas to the 'being concerned' offences on a basis - in that he got into thousands of pounds worth of debt to another whilst in prison and on his release, he was instructed to engage in street dealing.

He claimed to have resisted the instructions at first, but he gave in when the window at his property was smashed.

Thereafter, the defendant claimed, the drug dealing phone was dropped off some five weeks before his arrest.

Oliver King, defending, said: "The best mitigation in addition to the plea is his basis.

The Leader:

"It sets the scene. The court will be concerned he has done this before but in different circumstances.

"He went into prison, he's told 'this is the debt - pay or else'.

"He resisted that as long as he could, but things did turn nasty.

"He didn't benefit directly from this, it was a way of keeping these people away from his door."

READ MORE

Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant: "Yes, I am concerned you're doing this again bearing in mind you've been involved in serious drug supply before.

"But you pleaded guilty - I give you full credit and I sentence you faithfully to your basis."

Williams was jailed for a total of 27 months.