Amateur Boxer Caught with £6,000 of Cocaine at Family Home
An amateur boxer, Ashley Lewis, aged 35, was discovered in possession of up to £6,000 worth of cocaine at the Cardiff home he shared with his partner and children. Police raided his home on July 9, where they found five black wraps of cocaine weighing 114g hidden in a bathroom cupboard. The total value of the drugs ranged from £2,400 to £6,000.
During a sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court, it was revealed that a Nokia phone used as a drugs line was found concealed in a children’s toy box, containing incriminating messages related to drug dealing. Additionally, £1,435 in cash and digital devices with traces of drugs were also seized.
Lewis, residing on Heol Maes Eirwg, St Mellons, pleaded guilty to charges of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and involvement in the supply of class A drugs. The court noted that he had 23 prior convictions, including offences such as possession of cannabis, assault causing actual bodily harm, and criminal damage.
In mitigation, Lewis’s lawyer, Aliyah Hussain, explained that her client had turned to amateur boxing and was selling tickets for an upcoming fight to repay a debt of £3,000 borrowed for Christmas expenses. However, when he couldn’t repay the debt, he was coerced into running a drugs line. His cannabis use also escalated to £200 per week.
During sentencing, Recorder Paul Hartley-Davies remarked that Lewis was fully aware of the risks associated with drug dealing and the harm it could cause, given his past experiences. Lewis was sentenced to 28 months’ imprisonment, with half the term to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.
The case sheds light on the dangers and consequences of involvement in drug-related activities, particularly within family households. It serves as a stark reminder of the impact such actions can have on individuals and their loved ones.