01-06-2025
Cannabis dealer stashed machete and knuckleduster at home
Prosecutor Alycia Carpanini told Swansea Crown Court that police attended Bradley Southall's address in Milford Haven on the afternoon of September 9. He wasn't at home initially, but when they returned at 2.10pm he was standing outside the property.
The officers asked Southall if they were going to find any drugs inside, to which he replied: 'Not that I remember, unless you found something'.
For the latest crime and court news for west Wales, you can join our Facebook group here.
Whilst they were inside, the defendant was seen nervously looking towards one corner of the living room. In a backpack in that corner were 15 bags of cannabis, which a drug expert valued at £4,670 if sold in street deals.
His phone was seized, and analysis found drug-related messages dating back to 2020.
Officers also found a silver knuckleduster down the back of the sofa, and a machete – around 65cm in length from handle to tip – in a kitchen corner cabinet.
Southall was arrested, and in interview claimed the drugs were for his own personal use.
The 50-year-old defendant, of Precelly Place, had 11 previous convictions for 22 offences.
He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cannabis, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and two offences of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.
Hannah George, in mitigation, said Southall had been a 'long-term user' of cannabis – since he was 15 – and had now been selling the drug he was addicted to.
She said Southall had previously rid himself of a heroin addiction, and that he was taking steps to reduce his use of cannabis by working with the support available to him.
'He is capable of addressing his drug misuse,' she said.
Ms George said this was the defendant's first experience of custody since 1997, and being away from his teenage son – who he is the sole carer for – has had an impact on him.
'It's unfortunate it's taken the defendant's arrest for him to realise he has so much to lose,' she said.
'Your [teenage] son should clearly not be in a property where there is cannabis available to find, where there is a machete available to find, and where there is a knuckleduster available to find,' said the judge, Recorder Christopher Felstead.
'It's obvious to me you have put your son at risk by bringing those items into the property.'
Recorder Felstead sentenced Southall to nine months for the cannabis offences, suspended for 18 months, and he must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
The defendant also received one-month sentences – each running concurrently – for the weapons charges.
Ms Carpanini confirmed that the Crown Prosecution Service will make an application under the Proceeds of Crime Act to attempt to recover any profits Southall made from his offending.
