A man accused of travelling 70 miles from the Manchester area to Rhyl as part of a “county lines” drugs operation was jailed for three years.

Bradley Lees, aged 29, of Knott Lanes, Oldham, had been driving a car which had been stolen in Cheshire and had false number plates, Mold crown court heard.

Prosecutor James Coutts said he drove off from police in Ellis Avenue, Rhyl, but went into a cul-de-sac and the car was blocked.

Three men were arrested.

It happened in May 2019.

Lees pleaded guilty to possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply and possessing a lock knife.

The prosecutor said in his backside were wraps of heroin worth £450 and crack cocaine deals valued at £750.

In 2012 Lees had been convicted of involvement in cocaine supply.

His lawyer said he had acted under pressure and was working.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told Lees: ”You were not simply a courier.”

He said :”You would have been aware that those who supply Class A drugs, who bring them into North Wales from outside, would receive a custodial sentence and usually one of some length.

“Nonetheless it was a risk you chose to take and, of course, you took it for the second time.” The judge reflected the conditions under which he would have to serve the sentence.

Judge Rowlands added that the offences came to light because of good police work. But the police and Crown Prosecution Service took far too long to charge him and bring the case to court.