A teenager caught selling crack cocaine and cannabis on the streets of Newport has avoided jail. Charlie Miller, 19, of Darent Close, Bettws, was sentenced at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to possessing a class A drug with intent to supply and possessing cannabis.
Caught in the act
On May 29, Miller was seen by patrolling police officers on Skinner Street in Newport city centre handing drugs to a suspected drug user. When approached, he told the officers he had "just a bit of weed," prosecutor Hannah Friedman told the court.
A search of Miller revealed snap bags containing cannabis, 43 wraps of crack cocaine with a total weight of 11.65g and an estimated street value of £960, £195.65 in cash, and a mobile phone. He was arrested and taken into police custody.
Sentencing and mitigation
Gareth Williams, representing Miller, said his client had just turned 19 at the time of offending and had previous good character. He also noted that Miller's time on remand at Cardiff prison was "a fairly traumatic experience" that gave him "a taste of what could happen." Miller has expressed remorse and has support from family upon release.
Recorder Simon Hughes sentenced Miller to 32 months imprisonment, suspended for 32 months, with the lead offence being possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply. The offending was aggravated by the presence of two types of drugs but mitigated by his age and clean character.
Miller must complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity, 250 hours of unpaid work, and pay a statutory surcharge of £228.
