A man who tried to hide from police a bag which contained cannabis allegedly worth up to £4,200, behind a promenade shelter at Rhos on Sea, was spared jail.

It happened in July 2018 and Judge Rhys Rowlands said the delay in bringing the prosecution was “totally unacceptable.”

Defence barrister Simon Rogers told Mold crown court that the judge should also take into account the Covid crisis which meant prisoners were confined to cells for 23 hours a day.

Mr Rogers said it took 15 months for police to examine a phone.

Martin Bellew, 50, of Colwyn Avenue, Rhos on Sea, received a 15 months suspended jail term with drug rehabilitation after he admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

His counsel said drug misuse had blighted him for many years.

Judge Rowlands told Bellew he had been before the courts “with depressing regularity.”