Black Country ex-soldier found with 41 wraps of cocaine he intended to 'share with friends on weekend away' avoids jail
An ex-soldier found with 41 wraps of cocaine in his car which he claimed he was going to share with friends on a weekend away in Blackpool has avoided an immediate jail term.
Peter Davies, of Walsall, was stopped in a BMW on July 12, 2024 by plain-clothed police officers after he was seen exchanging items with another man, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
Mr Peter Arnold, prosecuting, said: "On July 12, 2024 plain clothed police officers were on duty in an unmarked police vehicle.
"At around 7.45pm they saw a male stood at the side of the road on his mobile phone. They then observed the defendant approach driving a BMW. He appeared to exchange items with the first male through the window of the car.
"Officers followed the defendant, apprehended him, he was compliant. Asked whether there were any drugs in the vehicle, he first of all replied no.
"He was asked again and changed his reply to yes."
Wraps of cocaine were found in a compartment next to the steering column and wheel, he told the court.
Mr Arnold said Davies was arrested and taken to Bloxwich police station but answered no comment to all questions.
A total of 41 wraps of cocaine were recovered valued at more than £1,500.
Davies, 43, of Neath Road, Bloxwich, initially pleaded not guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, but later pleaded guilty to the charge on a basis of plea.
Mr Arnold said his basis of plea was that he had intended to supply his friends with the drug for use on a weekend away.
Mr Shehraz Hussain, mitigating, said Davies knew how serious his offending was and had never been in trouble in relation to drugs before.
He said: "He was due to go for a weekend away in Blackpool with around 18 of his friends.
"As part of that weekend away there were plans for them all to consume class A drugs.
"He was simply supplying them to his friends and essentially not making a profit."
He said at the time Davies was a class A drug user, however since his arrest he had stopped taking drugs.
He also told the court he had served time in the British Army and witnessed the loss of his comrades, suffering flashbacks to what happened. Davies has also worked as a carpenter fitting kitchens and bathrooms.
Recorder Mr Rupert Jones said he was at low risk of reoffending and accepted he wasn't part of any chain, had no expectation of financial gain and accepted he had 'genuine remorse'.
He ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and sentenced Davies to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
Davies was also ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 80 hours unpaid work.