A dealer who was introduced to cocaine by friends after he was forced out of the Army through injury was advertising his wares on Snapchat.
When Aaron Diplock's home was searched officers found £7,000-worth of high-purity cocaine hidden in his cooker. Police also found messages on his phone where he discussed preparing the drug for sale and a Snapchat story where he promoted the product.
Swansea Crown Court heard the defendant been destined for a career in the Army before injuries sustained in a traffic collision forced him out and that once back home in Wales he first tried cocaine while on nights out with friends. The 24-year-old's barrister described his progression from recreational user to a dealer who was now facing jail as a "cautionary tale".
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Hannah George, prosecuting, told the court Diplock was arrested on January 20 this year after police stopped a Volkswagen Scirocco car in Woodfield Street in Morriston in which he and his girlfriend were travelling. The car was searched but nothing of significance was found. However when police looked at the defendant's partner's phone they found a Snapchat story linked to Diplock's account which aroused their suspicion. The prosecutor said it became clear that the defendant was using Snapchat to advertise his cocaine-dealing activities.
A subsequent search of Diplock's home in Margam found empty plastic snap-bags and a sieve and scales covered in a white residue. In the oven officers found 128g of cocaine with a purity of 91% which had an estimated street value of up to £7,200. When his phone was examined officers found messages where he talked about preparing cocaine including the need to go to Swansea to "press" it – something which was a lot of effort but "had to be done".
Aaron Sean Diplock, of All Saints' Place, Cwmavon, Port Talbot, admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply. He has three previous convictions for three offences.
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Dean Pulling, for Diplock, said at the age of 16 the defendant fulfilled his ambition of joining the Army when he enlisted with the Royal Logistic Corps. But two years later Diplock was involved in a serious road traffic collision while home on leave which left him with a broken pelvis which required the fitting of a metal plates and screws. Despite extensive rehabilitation and "the Army's best endeavours" the teenager was not able to regain the necessary level of fitness and was medically discharged.
The barrister said then aged 18 and living back in Wales his client was introduced to cocaine by friends who were taking it on nights out. He said as the defendant's cocaine use increased it had to be paid for and it led to debts and eventually to dealing. Mr Pulling said Diplock was quite frank in telling him that "the drugs had stopped working for him but he found himself with an addiction and having to fund it" and he described his client's experience as a "cautionary tale". But the barrister added that Diplock was "young enough and smart enough to learn from his mistakes" and move on with his life.
Judge Huw Rees said it was clear from the letters he had read from the defendant and his mother, and from Diplock's presentation in the dock of the court, that he was a "respectful young man" who came from a "solid background" and had not been brought up to behave in the way he had.
He said the defendant got involved in the "dark world of drugs" which meant finding money to pay for them and coming into contact with "unscrupulous" people.
With a one-third discount for his guilty plea Diplock was sentenced to two years in prison. He will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence.
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