Pontypool Mephedrone dealers given suspended sentences (From South Wales Argus)

Pontypool Mephedrone dealers given suspended sentences

1:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

DRUG dealers who pushed the party drug mephedrone in a criminal enterprise that netted them thousands of pounds have been spared jail.

Michael Passmore, 22, was exposed as a dealer after police found £2,400 in cash and traces of the party drug M-Cat on a spoon at his home in Pontypool.

Officers also discovered paperwork showing he had booked a £2,000 holiday, Newport Crown Court heard.

But Passmore, of Newman Road, Trevethin, was given a one-year jail sentence suspended for a year, as well as 150 hours of community service.

His barrister, Hugh Wallace, said his client had made “giant strides” to reform his ways, as he had set up a company, which employed one person, using funds from the Prince’s Trust.

The court heard he worked with accomplice Joshua Morris, 22, to sell M-Cat and cannabis.

Morris, of School Close, Pontypool, had already been convicted of drug offences including possession of mephedrone with intent to supply, as well as being concerned to supply cocaine and being concerned to supply a class B drug, the court was told.

He was exposed after police found M-Cat in his living room and digital scales with traces of the party drug during a raid on September 9, 2011.

His barrister, Owen Williams, told the court: “He has got an insight into the offences he committed and his alcohol and drug misuse and displays today a true motivation to change.”

Judge Philip Richards gave Morris a one-year custodial sentence, also suspended for a year.

They both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B and class C drugs.

Friday,March 22, 2013 southwalesargus.co.uk SOUTHWALES ARGUS 9 NEWS IN BRIEF Orchestra’s annual concert THE annual concert of the Monmouth Concert Orchestra will be held in Chepstow tomorrow.

The event will be held at the Drill Hall.

Tickets are £3 and are available at the door.

Children are free.