A WREXHAM drug addict was handed a community order after being found in possession of class A drugs. 

Richard Evans, 55, of Bannister Drive, Oakfield Park appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday (November 28) to be sentenced for possession of class A drugs. 

Catherine Elvin, prosecuting, said on the January 27, 2023, Evans' sister was concerned after not hearing from him all day.

She attended his address and after looking through the letter box saw him ‘unconscious’ on the sofa, which led to her calling the police and ambulance service.

Emergency services arrived and forced entry to the property where he was treated for a suspected opioid overdose and was taken to hospital.

During a search of the property police found “a large number of needles” and a package of a brown and grey substance which turned out to be 167g of heroin.

The court heard that Mr Evans had a “heavy drug addiction” to manage pain relief from a number of physical ailments he is suffering from. 

Gareth Bellis, defending, told the court that Evans, who pleaded guilty to the offence in October, had a number of medical appointments coming up for several health issues including pulmonary issues, lung problems and plastic surgery, describing it as a “sad, sad, sad case”.

He also argued that Evans was “desperately trying to turn his life around”.

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Evans has six previous convictions from 16 offences, with the latest being a motoring offence in 2018.

Judge Nicola Saffman said that it was clear Evans “overdosed on heroin” and clear that he was a "heavy drug addict". She factored in Evans' “serious medical issues” and told him that “a fine is not going to help you in any way whatsoever.”

Evans was sentenced to an 18-month community order, 20 days of a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement programme and 26 accredited rehabilitation sessions. He is also required to have monthly rehabilitation reviews in front of the courts for six months.

Judge Saffman warned that any breach would lead to a “far more serious” sentence.