A DRUG dealer caught trafficking for the fourth time has again escaped going straight to jail.
Joshua Mahoney was stopped in a car by police in Newport who found he had bags of cannabis hidden behind the driver’s seat.
Despite the 30-year-old racking up four previous convictions for possessing the class B drug with intent to supply, he has never been given an immediate custodial jail term.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how he has received a suspended prison sentence on each occasion.
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Tony Trigg, prosecuting, said Mahoney’s latest offence was committed on February 12 2019, when he was travelling along Lysaght Way.
Officers found three bags of cannabis weighing 30g and with a combined potential street value of £360.
Mr Trigg said: “The police also found a mobile phone which was analysed and a significant amount of drug-related texts were discovered.”
He added that the defendant had 11 previous convictions for 20 offences, including three for possessing cannabis with intent to supply in 2013, 2017 and 2018.
Mahoney pleaded guilty to his latest of offence of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.
Hilary Roberts, representing the defendant, said: “His pre-sentence report is a positive one and he is someone who can respond. He has completed the requirements under his previous order.”
He told the court Mahoney had a job waiting for him in events management once the coronavirus crisis was over.
Mr Roberts added that his client was currently helping his partner with her candle-making business.
Judge Richard Twomlow told Mahoney: “You have a dreadful record of cannabis-related offences. For a repeat offender, it is unusual for someone to have had as many chances as you have.”
The defendant, of Broadway, Treforest, Pontypridd, was jailed for 15 months, suspended for 12 months.
He was ordered to complete a six-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work.
The judge added: “You will be treading on thin ice if you are brought before the court again.”
Mahoney also has to pay a victim surcharge.
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