Drug dealing Rhyl brothers spared jail after one found with snooker ball in sock

Two Rhyl brothers were caught drug dealing. Officers found one had a snooker ball in a spare sock.

Charles Hudson and Frederick "Freddie" Morgan admitted the drugs offences which occurred when they were 18 and 17. But a judge today decided they could be rehabilitated and spare them immediate prison sentences.

Prosecutor Jemma Gordon told Caernarfon Crown Court police saw Hudson, now 19, meeting a drug user in Rhyl on January 13 last year. They searched Hudson, of Warren Road, Rhyl, and found various drugs, cash, a mobile phone and a snooker ball in a spare sock. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here

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Police went to his home and found more cannabis in his bedroom. The court heard officers also searched Hudson's brother Morgan's bedroom and found drugs and scales.

Both were arrested. The seized drugs were worth a total of up to £1,880, the court heard today.

Richard Edwards, defending Hudson, said his client had been 17 at the time. He began smoking cannabis but things escalated into a "four-figure drugs debt which he was unable to pay off".

The only route out of the debt seemed to be to sell drugs. He felt he had little choice due to threats being made to him and his family. Hudson said he was a "skinny kid dealing with adults".

But now he is a "different person". He is genuinely remorseful and is motivated to work hard to provide for his young family, said Mr Edwards. He works in a cheese factory and spends his spare time in a gym.

Michael Whitty, for Morgan who is now 20, said he has let himself and those around him down. He wants to live a positive life.

Hudson admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis, and possessing of an offensive weapon in a public place - the snooker ball in the sock.

Morgan, also of Warren Road, Rhyl, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, and possession with intent to supply cannabis. The judge His Honour Timothy Petts told the defendants: "It's clear both of you had been involved in drug dealing for four or five months."

They had to be given custodial sentences but there is a chance of rehabilitation so he could suspend the terms. He gave Morgan an 18-month jail term, suspended for two years. He gave Hudson a 16-month term suspended for two years.

Both must do 180 hours of unpaid work, wear a tag during a three-month 8pm to 6am curfew, and do 20 and 15 days of rehabilitation activity respectively. All the drugs and paraphernalia are to be forfeited and destroyed.

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