A MAN who found himself being roped back into the world of class A drugs has been put behind bars again.

The Leader reported in December how Samuel Prandle, of Pentre Gwyn in Wrexham, admitted being concerned in supplying crack cocaine and heroin to numerous persons.

On Thursday, the 34-year-old appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentence.

Rosemary Proctor, prosecuting, told the court that Prandle's conviction came about after a police investigation into the 'Sam county line' - a phone number which had been detected advertising the sale of class A drugs in the Wrexham area.

Analysis showed the number was active around the defendant's home and that its recipients varied from two, up to 82 across the 24 lots of bulk messages it sent.

On December 5 last year, police raided Prandle's home and found drugs, cash and the 'Sam' county line (or 'graft phone') which had been used to advertise the drugs for sale in and around the Caia Park area.

It was revealed his drug dealing activities had spanned dates between October and December 2023.

The Leader:

He made no comment to police when arrested and interviewed.

Euros Jones, defending, told the court his client had been released from prison in April 2023 and initially was making good progress with the probation service.

At that time, he was living with his parents, but when they moved to a retirement property Prandle had no option but to move back to an old address associated with his past offending.

Within a matter of days he was asked to 'hold onto a package' which Mr Jones said was stolen from him when someone came to his home and put a pair of scissors to his throat.

The Leader: Samuel Prandle (NWP)Samuel Prandle (NWP) (Image: NWP)From there, he found himself having to deal drugs on behalf of a county lines gang.

Mr Jones said: "He was engaged by pressure, coercion and intimidation and he had no influence on those above himself in the chain."

Recorder Wyn Lloyd Jones told the defendant: "Time and time again, I'm saying in these courts that drugs - particularly class A - are a serious problem in our society.

"They destroy lives and they destroy families.

RECOMMENDED READING

"You have a son. It's worthwhile thinking that you are not a good role model to him, as I am sure you fully understand.

"The time has come to get a grip on your life and turn it around."

The court heard Prandle's previous conviction for possession with intent to supply class A, for which he was sentenced in November 2022, aggravated his position.

As such, he was jailed for three years.