Plain clothes police officers observed Ashton Banfield, 19, supplying controlled drugs outside Swansea train station on March 27. This was just one month following his release from prison for a previous drug dealing conviction.
“You were caught red handed once again, up to the old habits of pedalling Class A drugs around the city,” commented Judge Geraint Walters when Banfield was brought before him for sentencing on Monday, May 19.
“You thought you were Mr Big again. But Class A drugs kill people.”
When he was approached by officers, Banfield admitted being in possession of controlled drugs. When they searched his jacket they found 3.93 grams of cocaine, 6.5 grams of cannabis and £582 in cash. A Nokia mobile phone was also found to contain messages concerning the availability of drugs.
When he was told he was going to be arrested, his response to the officers was, “I don’t give a f***.”
The court was told that following his release from prison on February 10, Banfield was housed at a property in Cardiff where there were three individuals regularly abusing Class A drugs.
“He was concerned about this, and raised those repeated concerns about what was going on,” said his barrister, James Lewis, KC. “But those concerns fell on deaf ears.
“He left the property in March and returned to Swansea, but without any familial guidance or support, he reverted to the only behaviour he’s known in recent times – the supply of drugs in low level street deals.
“It’s staggering that he’s facing his third sentence for drug dealing, at the age of 19.”
Meanwhile Judge Walters questioned the professional support that was given to Banfield following his release in March.
“Is the system failing people who are released, by not providing the sort of care it ought to?” he asked.
“Why do people bring up children with no life skills and who are unable to do anything useful? I wonder, as a judge, why people bother having children unless they’re able to bring them up properly.”
Banfield pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply; being in possession of cannabis and of being in possession of criminal property, namely the £582 in cash that was found in his jacket at Swansea train station.
As a result of what Judge Walters described as Banfield’s ‘relative youth, immaturity and no moral compass’, his expected six-year custodial sentence was reduced to four years.
“This is your chance to prove that you’re capable of change,” said Judge Walters. “But if you don’t, get ready for a life in prison.
“I implore people to manage your release from custody in a more meaningful way next time.”
A forfeiture and destruction border was imposed on the drugs and on Banfield’s mobile phone. Judge Walters ordered that the cash be used by South Wales police in their ‘continued battle against those who are using drugs on our streets.
