A successful Welsh solicitor who presented himself as a clean-living family man has been convicted of perverting the course of justice and drug supply offences. Ben Garvey, 38, a former partner at David W Harris Solicitors & Co, was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court on Friday after a trial.
Double life uncovered
Garvey, a father-of-two from Port Talbot, had built a career in law after studying at Oxford Brookes University. But his world collapsed following the arrest of Daniel Baker, a scaffolder and drug dealer, in August 2021. While representing Baker in police custody, Garvey passed messages to Baker's drug runner Jake Blackburn, helping to keep the drug business running and potentially delete incriminating iCloud data.
Messages between Garvey and Baker, relating to the supply of cocaine, led to Garvey's arrest. His phone also revealed he had been involved in the supply of steroids as a younger man.
WhatsApp group revelations
The court heard Garvey was a member of a WhatsApp group called "The Old C***s" in which he encouraged school friends to buy and use cocaine. Another member was David Kingdom, a former South Wales Police officer barred from policing for life after testing positive for cocaine.
In one message, Garvey wrote: "It doesn't need to be said brother but f*** everyone. We are your brothers and we will defend you to the hilt. Every c*** in Port Talbot is shovelling it (cocaine) down their neck week in, week out."
Prosecution case
Prosecutor Ray Tully KC said Garvey had arranged to meet Baker to buy cocaine for himself and others. Blackburn sold cocaine to Garvey on Baker's behalf when Baker was unavailable. Following Baker's arrest, Garvey was in frequent contact with Blackburn, with messages including "iCloud username and password" and "Tell Dan Oxford's sorted, everything else by tonight."
Mr Tully said the messages were evidence of relaying information to and from Baker while in custody, to preserve the drugs operation and hamper the investigation.
Arrest and defence
Garvey and Blackburn were arrested on September 14, 2023. Items seized from Garvey's home included steroids, £3,000 in cash, an iPhone, an iPad, and a Dell laptop. Garvey told police the allegations had "ruined his career" and claimed messages about cocaine were "dark humour" and "banter."
During the trial, Garvey became emotional, describing his upbringing in Port Talbot as "a very disadvantaged area." He admitted using steroids as a younger man but denied ever purchasing or supplying drugs.
His barrister, Thomas Crowther, asked if a good man could get too close to his drug dealer. Garvey responded: "I've spent my life working as hard as I could work to get myself where I got to, I would never pervert the course of justice."
Verdict and sentencing
Garvey was found guilty of perverting the course of justice (majority verdict), being concerned in the supply of class A and C drugs, and encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence. He wept in the dock as the verdicts were read.
Baker, of Silver Avenue, Sandfields, Port Talbot, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice (majority verdict) and had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Blackburn, of Chrome Avenue, Sandfields, Port Talbot, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice (majority verdict) and had previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
Judge Michael Cullum said sentencing will take place on September 29. Garvey and Blackburn were remanded on bail, while Baker was remanded in custody. The judge warned that immediate custodial sentences would be considered.
