Barry man jailed for five years after admitting drug offences (From Barry And District News)

Barry man jailed for five years after admitting drug offences

7:50am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News By Chris Seal

A BARRY man has been jailed for more than five years, after pleading guilty to possessing heroin and amphetamines with intent to supply.

A judge at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, September 19) branded Shane Baird’s criminal record ‘absolutely dreadful’, and said that Class A drugs were 'the scourge of modern society’.

Baird, aged 43, of Kingsland Crescent, was sentenced to five years and four months for possession of Class A drug heroin with intent to supply, and 18 months (concurrent) for possession of Class B amphetamines with intent to supply.

The court heard that police pulled Baird over after he was seen driving erratically on Ilminster Street on May 1.

Marianne Bennett, prosecuting, said: "When he opened the door he staggered out, his eyes were glazed and he was unstable on his feet."

He was arrested for driving offences, and when police searched his car they found a black rucksack containing electronic scales, drug paraphernalia and two mobile phones with text messages relating to drug dealing.

Police also found six foil wraps containing drugs in the car, and when he was taken to Cardiff Bay police station he admitted he had more drugs on him, including white powder that was identified as amphetamine, and ten wraps of silver foil each containing heroin.

Miss Bennett told the court that Baird had made 34 previous court appearances, relating to 89 offences, ‘covering almost the entire range of criminal offences’.

His two relevant previous convictions related to a charge of possession with intent to supply amphetamines in 2004, when he was given 18 months; and a sentence of three years and four months in 2006, for possession with intent to supply heroin. David Pinnell, in mitigation, said that Baird had always struggled with drugs.

"The defendant's record speaks volumes in itself over a 20 year period," he said.

"He took a wrong turn in life aged 24 and has never really been in a position of ridding himself of this terrible addiction." Judge Stephen Hopkins QC said Class A drugs were ‘a scourge of society’.

"Such a drug is highly addictive and its use almost always leads to misery and degradation," he told Baird.

"If someone could speak of the consequences, I would have thought it would be you."

Baird had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, but changed his plea on the day of the trial.

Detective Sergeant Julian Kerslake of Barry CID said: "This is a significant prison sentence which highlights our commitment to targeting those involved in drug dealing.

"These individuals bring misery to law abiding families and the wider community. Our aim is to continue disrupting the drugs markets and we can only achieve this with the support of the community."

* Anyone with information about drugs in their community should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.