A FLINTSHIRE man who was involved in the supply of drugs into North Wales has been given a chance to turn his life around.

Anthony Wallace, 28, of Maes Uchaf in Connah’s Quay, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday for six counts of possessing Class A drugs, one count of possessing a Class C drug and assaulting a person causing them actual bodily harm.

The court heard how on December 20, 2019 Wallace was stopped on the A483 by police officers and ‘appeared to be hiding something in his trousers’.

Prosecution Counsel Jade Tufail said when taken to the police station, a further search found a package which had fallen down the inside leg of his joggers, containing Class A drugs worth £2,280.

Two addresses were searched where more Class A and Class C drugs were found.

On September 30, 2020 police officers spoke to Wallace in Ruabon and upon a search of his person and vehicle, thousands of pounds worth of drugs were found as well as mobile phones containing messages.

The court heard how when interviewed, he told officers that he was ‘being threatened’ by his drug dealer to pay debts that he owed.

In relation to causing bodily harm, Ms Tufail told the court that on January 20, 2020, Wallace’s now ex-partner went to his address and upon opening the door he was ‘holding a knife’ and was ‘under the influence of drugs’.

Despite trying to take the knife and calm him down, Wallace ‘pinned her on the sofa’ and ‘sliced the letter A onto the left side of her chest’.

When interviewed, Wallace denied the charge and later went on to have a trial at the Magistrates Court.

The court heard how following an investigation, it was found Wallace was ‘acting under distress’ and was ‘under the threat of punishment’.

For the drugs offences, Wallace was given a total of 18-months in custody to run concurrently with one another – but no separate penalty for the possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – diamorphoine (Heroin). For the assault, Wallace was given a four-month custodial sentence to run consecutively, meaning Wallace will serve a total of 22-months in prison.

However, this sentence was suspended for two years due to the ‘highly unusual circumstances’ and the ‘realistic prospect of rehabilitation’.

Wallace was given a curfew from 6.30pm to 6am to end in January with a rehabilitation activity requirement of 15-days and a programme requirement of 35-days as well as continuing with unpaid work.