A junior and mini rugby coach found himself in a precarious situation when he was apprehended with class A drugs concealed in his rectum at a nightclub in Cardiff. Joshua Harding, 26, was at the Depot warehouse in Butetown when a security dog alerted the staff on November 10 last year. Upon being searched, he admitted to possessing drugs and voluntary produced Kinder eggs which housed cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine. The shocking details emerged during a sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Thursday, March 27.
Prosecutor Alex Granville disclosed that within the Kinder egg capsules extracted from Harding’s anus were zip lock bags containing white and pink powder, along with tablets, identified as cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine. These illicit substances, divided into smaller quantities for street distribution, were estimated to be valued between £502 and £1,049. Harding, residing in Chichester Way, Caerau, confessed to police that he had smuggled £60 worth of ketamine into the same venue on a previous occasion as a trial run, signifying a pattern of criminal activity.
Despite his prior clean record, Harding pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and one count of possession with intent to supply class B drugs. His defence counsel, Adam Sharp, highlighted that the defendant was heavily intoxicated and influenced by drugs at the time of the incident. However, since his arrest, Harding has refrained from drug consumption and has been making efforts to turn his life around. A promising footballer who once graced the Cardiff City Futsal Academy, Harding now plays as a goalkeeper for Cardiff Hibernian FC, coaches junior and mini rugby, and works at Tesco.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Daniel Williams sternly warned Harding of the severe repercussions faced by individuals involved in drug distribution, indicating a potential sentence of four-and-a-half years in prison. Despite this, Harding was handed a suspended two-year imprisonment term, coupled with a mandate to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and a 10-day rehabilitation programme. This outcome aimed to provide Harding with an opportunity to reform and rebuild his life following this troubling episode.
The case serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the dangers of drug-related activities and the potential consequences that individuals may face when engaging in illicit behaviour. It underscores the importance of making responsible choices and adhering to the law to avoid jeopardising one’s future prospects and wellbeing. As Harding embarks on his journey towards rehabilitation, the hope is that this experience serves as a turning point in his life, guiding him towards a path of redemption and reformation.
The incident at the nightclub serves as a reminder of the vigilance required to combat drug-related offences and the need for stringent measures to deter individuals from participating in illegal drug activities. By holding individuals like Harding accountable for their actions while also offering support for rehabilitation, the justice system aims to uphold the rule of law and safeguard communities from the harmful effects of drug misuse. As Harding navigates the consequences of his actions, the focus remains on his potential for positive change and his commitment to a law-abiding and constructive future.