A cocaine dealer blamed builders when police found more than 500g of drugs in a wall cavity behind his television.
Faran Cox, 24, was visited by officers at his Cardiff home on May 19 where they discovered 572.5g of cocaine concealed in his living room. They also found drug paraphernalia including weighing scales, plastic snap bags, a mobile phone, and £1,850 in cash.
A sentencing hearing heard Cox, of South Morgan Close, in Riverside, told officers his uncle had had building work carried out at his home.
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Speaking at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday prosecutor Josh Scouller said: "He denied any knowledge of drugs or money and said the builders must have placed them there. He refused to give any details for his uncle or the builders." The defendant also claimed some of the cash found was from his benefits and his job at a burger bar.
The court also heard the defendant crashed his car while trying to evade police who saw him travelling at speed through a red light. At around 7.10pm on April 7 police saw a Ford Ka driven by Cox along Wilson Road, Ely, in a dangerous manner by overtaking cars, driving on the wrong side of the road, and taking bends at speed before colliding with two parked vehicles in Courtis Road.
The defendant was seen getting out of the driver's side and was arrested. When asked why he had been driving so dangerously he claimed he thought he was "wanted" by the police for drugs offences.
Cox later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and dangerous driving.
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In mitigation Andrew Shanahan said his client had been suffering with mental health issues and had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic he was unable to renew his prescription, stopped taking his medication, and started self-medicating with cannabis before moving onto cocaine.
The barrister said Cox began dealing in order to feed his cocaine habit but since his remand in custody he has been addressing his drug addiction.
Recorder Mark Cotter QC sentenced Cox to a total of four years and six months imprisonment.
