A DRUG dealer who peddled bags of mephedrone in a Newport club thanked the judge and praised Britain’s justice system after he was sentenced at Newport Crown Court.

Nicholas Lampitt, 39, of Comfrey Close, Newport, stood and addressed the court after Judge Daniel Williams handed down the 32-week suspended sentence on Friday.

Lampitt said: “I just want to say thank you for the law system. When I went to the doctors to request to be assessed for psychiatric help they told me two years. A barrister told me today it would be four weeks to start getting assessed. I want to thank you for the help you’ve given me.”

He admitted selling mephedrone, known as “M-cat”, in November last year.

David Wooler, prosecuting, said: “Police were called to Meze Lounge in Market Street, Newport, at 2.25am in the morning of November 8. The defendant had been detained by door staff who had [found him with] a silver tin containing 31 bags of white powder.”

The drugs found by police totalled around 20.75 grams, split into small bags which he sold for £10 each. He had started the night with 40, sold six or eight and took one himself.

Mr Wooler continued: “He said he’d been dealing for about six weeks. His general MO would be to buy one ounce which he would subdivide into about 40 bags. He had his own lifestyle to fund.”

Defending, Harold Baker said: “He has many problems, I think it might be right to say. Some of those he is coming to terms with now.”

Lampitt’s pastor came to the court for support. Lampitt was ordered to pay £350 costs towards the prosecution and a £100 surcharge.