Teenage drug dealers detained

Wright and Paul-Campbell admitted drug possession

Two teenagers who claimed to have been forced out of London by armed Jamaican gangs have been sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court for dealing drugs.

Sean Wright, 19, from Brixton and Adika Paul-Campbell, 18, of Chiswick admitted possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine.

Because you were threatened by criminal elements in London you came to peddle your filth down here

Judge Stephen Hopkins QC

They were both ordered to serve four-and-a half years at a young offenders institution.

The judge heard how the defendants were caught after police caught them fighting with another man near the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, and searched them.

Prosecutor Ieuan Morris said: "What was thought to be a minor skirmish turned into a sizeable drugs seizure."

He said that Wright was found carrying up to a £1,000 of drugs and a knife.

Mr Morris added: "Paul-Campbell was acting as banker - he had three large bundles of cash which came to £1,640."

The court heard how the Metropolitan Police raided Paul-Campbell's London home and found more than £20,000 of heroin hidden in a wardrobe.

You only have to listen to the news to know the prevalence of gun crime and the danger it poses

Claire Marlow, defending

Wright's lawyer, Claire Marlow told the judge that the defendant had come under pressure from "Yardmen" - including one armed with a handgun - in London.

She said: "You only have to listen to the news to know the prevalence of gun crime and the danger it poses.

The judge heard the pair said they came to Cardiff after Wright had got into trouble with the gangsters.

Judge Stephen Hopkins QC told the pair: "Because you were threatened by criminal elements in London, you came to peddle your filth down here.

"Both heroin and crack cocaine are evil, pernicious, destructive drugs that lead to degradation, increased criminal offending and in some cases, death," he added.