Leighton Burgess, a 38-year-old man from Port Talbot, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being caught with a phone containing incriminating drug messages. Despite initially blaming fellow residents at the YMCA for sending the messages, Burgess admitted to a £600-a-month crack cocaine habit but denied being a dealer.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Matt Murphy, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that Burgess came to police attention in April 2025 when officers examined phones of known drug users and identified numbers linked to drug supply. The numbers were traced to Burgess, who was arrested on April 25 while walking along Station Road in Port Talbot.
At the time of arrest, Burgess was carrying a Nokia phone using one of the identified numbers. Examination revealed messages related to the supply of cocaine, Valium, and pregabalin – a prescription-only painkiller. A search of his room at the Port Talbot YMCA uncovered four additional phones and two SIM cards.
Defendant's Claims and Background
In police interview, Burgess claimed he spent around £600 monthly on crack cocaine from his £1,100 benefit income but denied authoring the messages, alleging other YMCA residents had access to his phone. However, he later pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, Valium, and pregabalin on the basis of a long-standing Class A drug addiction, selling to a small circle of friends to fund his habit.
Burgess has 16 previous convictions for 45 offences, including cannabis trafficking in 2010 and 2013, and possession of heroin with intent to supply in 2016. His last conviction was in 2020 for driving matters.
Court Sentencing
Ian Ibrahim, defending, said Burgess has ADHD and left school at 14, noting that his client described the YMCA as the best place he had ever lived. He added that Burgess was devastated by his mother's death and has no contact with his father in Thailand. Since being on remand, Burgess has been drug-free and completed several courses.
Recorder Barry Clarke acknowledged that a pre-sentence report indicated the YMCA provided some stability but noted a persistent pattern of drug misuse and offending. He deemed community rehabilitation unrealistic and warned that a third Class A drug dealing conviction would start at seven years. With a one-quarter discount for guilty pleas, Burgess received a three-year sentence, serving 40% in custody before release on licence.
