A shoplifter who stole expensive Ralph Lauren clothing was later caught by police dealing heroin and crack cocaine after he failed to turn up to court. He took to dealing in order to fund his own drug addiction.
Lee Cross, 43, was caught stealing £742 worth of clothing in John Lewis in Cardiff city centre on April 3. He was identified by facial recognition and arrested but the clothes were never recovered. During his police interview he claimed to be drunk.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday heard the defendant didn't turn up to his court appearance and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Cross was seen by police on May 9 in Queen Street and appeared to be involved in a drug deal.
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The defendant made off on his bike but was seen two hours later in Castle Street and detained. When searched he was found in possession of 21 wraps of crack cocaine and eight wraps of heroin with a total value of £290. He was also found with a Nokia phone which contained messages related to his drug use.
Cross, of Snowden Road, Ely, refused to be interviewed but claimed the drugs found in possession were for his own personal use. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, and theft from a shop. The court heard he had 25 previous convictions for offences including thefts and burglary.
In mitigation it was said the defendant, a father of two, was trying to address his drug addiction and is now on a methadone script. He had been drug-free for a number years but had fallen back into drug use after becoming homeless.
Sentencing, Recorder Andrew Hammond said: "You more than any of us should be aware of the suffering and harm Class A drug addiction can cause and yet you have chosen to perpetuate that to others around you for your own personal benefit."
Cross was sentenced to a total of 22 months imprisonment. He will serve half the sentence in custody before serving the remainder on licence.
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