A BUCKLEY man who was caught with hundreds of pounds worth of drugs has been spared jail.

Matthew Wilkes, aged 26 and of Hillside Crescent, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Monday.

He'd previously admitted two counts of possession of drugs with intent to supply; one in respect of cocaine and the other for cannabis.

Sarah Badrawy, prosecuting, told the court that at about 11.15pm on May 19 last year, police officers on patrol in Buckley drove down Nant Mawr Road when they saw a man walking towards Stanley Road.

He was dressed all in black and had a clenched fist behind his back, which officers believed contained a metal object.

The man was approached and identified himself as Matthew Wilkes.

When asked if he had a knife in his possession, he told officers: "I'm not going to lie, I have a lot of drugs on me."

He was found to have cocaine and cannabis, as well as a tick list, grinders, £600 in cash and a phone.

Ms Badrawy said the cocaine was valued at between £449 and £545 and the cannabis was worth more than £300.

Wilkes claimed to have been 'keeping the cocaine for a friend' but said the cannabis was for personal use, the court heard.

Simon Mintz, defending, said his client was "highly vulnerable, medically" and that he had been shielding for three months during the covid-19 pandemic. "He is likely to face more hardship in custody than would otherwise have been the case," Mr Mintz said.

The court also heard Wilkes had made "good progress" and is able to undertake "hard work" - having worked as a chef and at Tomlinson's Dairies previously.

Mr Mintz said: "It shows he is a young man, unlike many drug users, who is very capable of the kind of graft to work in the hospitality industry. "There is scope. He is a man with some real potential. "He is not just going to claim state benefit and drift back into drugs. "He is going to return to productive and difficult work in the hospitality industry."

Judge Niclas Parry told Wilkes: "You're an intelligent young man and you took a risk. "You were clearly used to supplying drugs.

"You thought it was worth it. Now you have to face the consequences.

"Drugs cause significant harm here in North Wales."

Wilkes received a 12 month sentence for each of the two counts, to run concurrently.

Judge Parry suspended the sentence for two years and ordered Wilkes to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He must also complete a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement, as well as paring a surcharge of £140.