A TEENAGE cocaine dealer who was caught after a police stop and search was locked up for more than two years.

Ellis Seivwright, aged 19, of Speke Street, Newport, was sentenced at the city’s crown court after admitting possessing a class A drug with intent to supply.

The offence was committed on November 14, 2018 at Chepstow Road.

The judge, Recorder Greg Bull QC, sent Seivwright to a young offender institution for two years and four months.

The defendant must also pay a £170 victim surcharge upon his release from custody.

It was said it in mitigation that he had entered an early guilty plea.

Outside the court, a Gwent Police spokesperson said: “On 14th November 2018 Ellis Seivwright was stopped and searched by officers from Newport East Neighbourhood Policing Team along with officers from the Gravitas Team.

“This stop was based on community intelligence being provided that a male was dealing drugs in the area.

“Seivwright was subsequently arrested for possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of criminal property.

“Seivwright was charged with the offences and on 14th December 2018 appeared before Newport Crown Court where he was sentenced to two years and four months’ imprisonment.

Police Constable Matthew Mallett, the officer in charge of the case, added: "This kind of criminality will not be tolerated in Gwent and any person involved in this type of criminality will be dealt with accordingly.

“This stop was conducted based on the local community providing intelligence to the police of drug dealing in the area.

“I would encourage anyone with information or intelligence regarding drugs supply offences to contact 101 to report it."