Kyle Griffiths, 23, of New Road, was jailed for two and a half years after being caught selling drugs in a car park
A former soldier who found it difficult to cope in civilian life has been jailed for two and a half years after he admitted supplying cocaine.
Kyle Griffiths, 23, of New Road, Wrexham , had served in the British Army and seen two friends killed in Afghanistan.
On his return to civilian life, he found it difficult to cope, became addicted to cocaine, and found himself in debt.
To try to pay off his drug debts, he started dealing in the class A drug, Mold Crown Court was told.
The offences are said to have occurred in July and August of last year.
He was arrested on August 28 in the Albion car park in Wrexham , where he was seen selling drugs to his co-defendant Niall Murphy.
Griffiths drove off but was stopped by police and admitted that he had three bags in the centre console of his vehicle, said prosecuting barrister James Coutts.
There was also some £80 in cash, and further cocaine was found when he was searched.
An examination of his mobile phone revealed messages indicative of supply, which showed that he had supplied up to 30 people.
Stephen Edwards, defending, said that, when Griffiths left the Army, he missed the rigours and structure of military life.
The recreational use of cocaine became a habit and he quickly got into debt.
“He tried to deal himself out of trouble,” said Mr Edwards.
The court heard Griffiths came from a good family and had stopped taking drugs.
He had got himself a job and he and his partner were expecting their first baby.
Co-defendant Niall Murphy, 18, of Montgomery Road, Wrexham, denied possessing cocaine with intent but admitted possession on the basis that he and others had pooled resources to buy some.
His plea was acceptable to the prosecution and he was given a 12-month conditional discharge with £300 costs.
The judge, Mr Recorder Paul Hopkins QC, said he would give Murphy a chance, but said Griffiths was in a different category.
Following the sentencing, DCI Simon Williams at Wrexham CID said: “Those few in our communities who supply class A controlled drugs must realise there is a consequence to their actions and they will go to prison.
“Drug-related activities have a detrimental impact in our communities and undermine the excellent partnership work being untaken locally to address users’ addictions.
“I welcome the sentence and hope it reassures the public that, where necessary, North Wales Police will take a robust stand against those who supply controlled drugs.
“In line with the force’s Operation Scorpion, we are fully committed to the investigation of serious and organised crime and eradicating it from our communities.
“I’d reiterate that anyone with information regarding the production and supply of controlled drugs or anyone they believe is involved in organised crime contact North Wales Police.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/wrexham-ex-soldier-dealt-cocaine-12648531
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