EditorSmiling Swansea dad jailed after dealing cocaine while driving banned with his children in the car
Gavin Jones, 37, was stopped in Swansea city centre on New Year’s Eve after officers spotted him behind the wheel of a car that wasn’t registered or insured to him. Checks quickly revealed he was already disqualified from driving.
Inside the vehicle were two of his children and his partner. As officers spoke to him, messages linked to drug dealing began flashing up on his mobile phone — including bulk texts advertising cocaine and cannabis.
Drugs found in two cars and cash hidden in a sock
Police seized a key to a second vehicle, which was later searched. Inside the central console they found 12 snap bags of cocaine worth up to £1,080.
A search of Jones’ flat uncovered more cannabis and £1,930 in cash stuffed inside a sock.
South Wales Police said Jones showed a “clear and obvious disregard for the law”.
Sergeant Luke Tucker, South Wales Police, said: “Gavin Jones has a clear and obvious disregard for the law, something which is shown in his lengthy charge sheet. He now knows that the law applies to him.”
Court told he had 34 previous convictions
At Swansea Crown Court, prosecutors said Jones had 34 previous convictions — including a conviction in 2022 for being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
He answered “no comment” to most police questions after his arrest.
Alycia Carpanini, prosecuting, told the court the drugs found in the second car were packaged for sale and that Jones had been sending out bulk marketing messages to customers.
“Author of his own misfortune”
Jones’ barrister said he had been using cocaine and had built up a debt.
Andrew Evans, defending, said: “He accepts that he is the author of his own misfortune. The persons his offending will have the biggest impact on are his five children.”
Judge Huw Rees told Jones his actions were aggravated by his previous drug‑supply conviction.
“You will now be deprived of a role that you are proud of — that of a father,” he said. “That is the price you will have to pay yet again for being concerned in the supply of drugs.”
The sentence
Jones admitted a string of offences, including being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, possessing cocaine with intent to supply, possessing cannabis, driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance. He also pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property after officers found almost £2,000 in cash hidden in a sock.
He was jailed for four years and five months — serving half in custody and half on licence — and banned from driving for 38 months.
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