A dad caught dealing Class A drugs was spared jail — only to spurn his second chance by driving while high. Lewis Morgan was arrested after a foot chase through the centre of Rhymney in Caerphilly county.
Cardiff Crown Court heard the 29-year-old came across police officers patrolling Rhymney High Street on December 1 and alerted their suspicions by running away. The officers soon caught him and found a small amount of cannabis in his possession. They described him as slurring his words and appearing “intoxicated and irritated”.
When police checked CCTV in the area they saw Morgan had driven a Vauxhall Corsa into town and parked on the high street. Morgan refused to give police a sample of blood but later accepted he had used drugs before getting behind the wheel. “He has been candid about his drug use,” said his barrister Nick Gedge. “Things had got on top of him.” For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here
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Morgan, of Rowan Place in Rhymney, has a string of previous motoring offences including drug-driving, dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen. Following the High Street incident he admitted driving while disqualified, failing to give a blood sample and possession of cannabis. At the time of those offences the defendant was under a suspended 18-month prison sentence imposed by Worcester Crown Court for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
The father-of-four not only breached the suspended sentence by committing new crimes but also by failing to attend appointments with the probation service, which described 13 of his absences as “unacceptable”. Morgan had 39 previous offences on his record including for violence and thefts when he appeared in court. Mr Gedge said: “He has regular and constructive contact with his children. He lives with his elderly grandmother, who is 84 and suffered a fall. He is in effect her carer and it seems his primary concern has been caring for her rather than complying with the order. He has difficulties with drugs that are ongoing.”
Mr Gedge recognised he had an “uphill task” in persuading Judge Shomon Khan not to activate the suspended sentence although he suggested sentencing could be adjourned to “give a chance” at Morgan complying with probation service appointments. But the judge rejected this suggestion and told Morgan: “You’ve let yourself down. These aren’t offences that are out of character for you.” He activated 12 months of the suspended sentence and imposed four months for the new offences meaning a total term of 16 months, of which up to half will be served in custody.
Judge Khan also banned Morgan from driving for three years and nine months. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news.