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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Geoffrey Bennett

Totterdown man admits drugs and weapons charges but denies handling stolen candles

A Totterdown man who admitted possessing drugs and weapons has been jailed.

Warren Royal, of Wycliffe Row, pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to supply Class A drug heroin and Class C drug diazepam on December 1 last year.

The 37-year-old also pleaded guilty to possessing a disguised firearm (Taser) and knuckle duster, on December 1 last year, as well as criminal property comprising of £2,209 cash.

READ MORE: Bristol activist glues herself to court steps

He denied handling 14 stolen Yankee Candles and a stolen pedal cycle and those pleas were accepted.

Judge Euan Ambrose jailed him for eight years at a hearing yesterday (Thursday, February 3).

He told Royal: "The offences are interwoven, one aggravating the other.

"There is no question each offence is so serious that only a prison sentence can be justified for it."

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Lucy Taylor, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court police who searched Royal's flat found 136 wraps of heroin worth £10,250 as well as strips of diazepam tablets worth £5,217.

Cash totalling £2,209 was also found, as well as a charged stun gun disguised as a torch and a "drug dealer's list".

Matthew Harbinson, defending, said Royal was Bristol-born and past associates had led him back into offending.

Royal pleaded guilty to offences on the basis of being subjected to threats and intimidation, the court heard.

Mr Harbinson told the court: "He genuinely did feel he was on the cusp of breaking free in terms of offending behaviour.

"He has started his own business, he is in a new relationship and he is making plans with his partner."

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