An 81-year-old pensioner was spared jail after driving to Liverpool to collect Class A drugs.
Thomas Hayden of Aberllanerch Drive, Buckley, today appeared at Mold Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of an organised crime group in the supply of Class A drugs between April 20, 2019 and October 2 that year.
The judge, His Honour Judge David Hale, gave him an eight month jail term, suspended for 12 months.
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The court heard the defendant had been investigated in a police probe called Operation Blue Moon - reports North Wales Live.
Following today's guilty plea, prosecutor John Philpott said Hayden had allowed his vehicle to be used in a conspiracy involving his grandson and others and on at least one occasion drove to Liverpool to collect drugs. He also let his phone be used.
The prosecutor added that "cell sighting" indicated that Hayden's phone travelled at the same time as the so called "graft phone".
Philip Tully, defending, said his client has suffered from medical issues and asked for a probation report.
He said: "We need to know if it's vascular dementia, Alzheimer's or something else. I (also) know he has suffered some falls recently."
But the judge said he did not know what the Probation Service could offer Hayden in his circumstances. He wanted to proceed to sentencing today to end the "worry" for Hayden's family.
Judge Hale told Hayden in the dock: "You must have known something was wrong, something was up. This grandson of yours was obviously someone to avoid.
"It got beyond favours. It was very silly of you.
"But I accept you were not wholly in control of your emotions. But you must never do anything like this again."
From the dock, Hayden replied: "It's something I regret."
The judge then said: "If anyone starts putting pressure on you to do anything get in touch with your daughter first."
The judge asked Hayden if he still drove, and the defendant said he didn't.
The judge said there would be a Proceeds of Crime Application regarding the whole case later this year.
He added: "That's the end of the case - which must have been worrying you and your wife and your daughter - apart from something to do with money - but you are not going to be locked up."
