A CONVICTED drug dealer found himself back in the crown court after being caught with cannabis in his system while driving his Audi A3 car.

Latham Thomas, 25, from Blackwood was handed a suspended prison sentence in 2021 after he pleaded guilty to supplying cannabis and possession of the class B drug with intent.

The defendant was in breach of that sentence when he was arrested by police on Ashfield Road, Newbridge on February 6 on suspicion of drug driving.

Thomas was taken to Ystrad Mynach police station where he tested positive for cannabis, Cardiff Crown Court was told.

The defendant, of St Margaret’s Avenue, Cefn Fforest admitted drug driving and being in breach of his two-year suspended jail sentence.

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He had a previous conviction for drug driving.

Ed Mitchard representing Thomas said his client had completed the curfew and rehabilitation activity requirements of his suspended sentence “without incident or breach”.

Judge Shomon Khan told the defendant: “I'm of the view that because of the nature of this offence being far less serious than the possession with intent to supply drugs matter and because you've completed all of the requirements of the community part of the suspended sentence, it would be contrary to the interests of justice to activate the 14-month sentence.”

Thomas was fined £250 and banned from driving for three years.

He will also have to pay a victim surcharge.