A man spotted riding his bike erratically by police officers was found to be in possession of a quantity of drugs.
Thirty-nine-year-old Darren Rees, of Catalina Avenue, Pembroke Dock appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday, to plead guilty to possessing two grams of cannabis; and 504 tablets of class C drug Pregablin.
Prosecutor Vaughan Pritchard-Jones told the court that on September 7 of last year, at around 7.20 pm, police officers saw the defendant on Queen Street in Pembroke Dock carrying a bag, wearing a dark hoodie and riding his bike in a ‘somewhat erratic manner’.
“Officers suspected that Mr. Rees might be under the influence, so they put their blue lights on, but the defendant rushed off into an alleyway.
“Police gave chase on foot and caught up with the defendant and detained him. When he was searched he was found to have two grams of cannabis in his pocket, and the tablets were contained in boxes in his bag,” continued Mr. Pritchard-Jones.
“When interviewed by police, Mr. Rees gave no comment replies,” the court heard.
Defence solicitor Jonathan Webb told magistrates that Mr. Rees suffered with mental health issues and had been prescribed the drug Pregablin in the past.
“He has his demons for which he self-medicates. Mr. Rees is currently subject to a community order that he was handed in December for a criminal damage matter, but this charge predates that order,” explained Mr. Webb.
The court heard that Mr. Rees owed £3,728 in outstanding fines.
Magistrates fined him £80 for the cannabis possession and £40 for the Class C drug.
He was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85 and a £32 victim surcharge.
A destruction order for the drugs was passed by magistrates.