Solicitor Ben Garvey became emotional while giving evidence in his trial, describing his upbringing in Port Talbot as from a 's***y place'. The 38-year-old is accused of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and steroids, and perverting the course of justice.
Garvey told Bristol Crown Court he had 'worked his a*** off' to become a solicitor but had been forced to leave his job due to the allegations. He said Port Talbot is 'a very disadvantaged area, it’s a steelworks with a town attached' but added 'I’m proud of where I come from.'
WhatsApp Group Messages
The court heard Garvey was part of a WhatsApp group named 'The Old C***s' where messages encouraged friends to purchase cocaine. Garvey said the group consisted of long-time friends and messages were often 'in a joke and in jest,' with laughing emojis.
He admitted trying cocaine when younger and using steroids for a year and a half, but said he had not used cocaine after the birth of his children. Garvey stated he was often working and not present at events mentioned in the group.
Allegations of Perverting Justice
Garvey is accused of perverting the course of justice by passing messages from his alleged cocaine dealer Daniel Baker's runner, Jake Blackburn, to Baker while Baker was in police custody. Baker, 34, and Blackburn, 28, both deny perverting the course of justice; Baker has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and Blackburn changed his plea to guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Garvey, of Vivian Park Drive, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies all charges: perverting the course of justice, being concerned in the supply of Class A and C drugs, and encouraging or assisting an offence. The trial continues.
