Pair imported more than kilo of cannabis
PRIDE Cymru and Dog’s Trust have joined forces to bring the first-ever dog show to Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend in Cardiff later this month.
Visitors to Pride Cymru are invited to nominate their pets for the Welsh LGBT+ charity’s first-ever dog show, with categories ranging from Waggiest Tail to Golden Oldie to Cutest Pup.
Gian Molinu, chair at Pride Cymru, said: “We are thrilled to host our first ever dog show and excited to be collaborating with Dog Trust and help raise funds for a great charity. Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend is all about celebrating love and diversity, so why not extend that to animals?”
Pride Cymru’s Big Weekend is being held on City Hall lawns in Cardiff between August 23 and 25.
The dog show will take place on Saturday, August 24, between 2pm and 4pm in the event’s family area. For £3 visitors can put their pets forward for one of five judging classes. All proceeds will go to charity.
A vet will be present on the day and the show will be cancelled if temperatures rise above 27°C. ■■Anyone interested in taking part can register their dogs online at www.pridecymru.com/prides-firstdog-show A HUSBAND and wife were caught importing cannabis after their packages were intercepted by Border Force.
Christopher and Kelly Pritchard imported more than a kilo of the Class B drug over an 18-month period.
The court heard they received packages containing cannabis on five occasions in April 2015, August 2015, August 2016, September 2016 and November 2016.
Christian Jowett, prosecuting, said all of the parcels were addressed to the pair’s home at Fairoak Chase in Brackla, Bridgend, apart from one, which went to a business address.
He told the court they imported 1,146g of cannabis with a value between £6,120 and £9,000, with four packages coming from Canada and one from the US.
Prosecutors said the packages were intercepted by Border Force and Christopher Pritchard was arrested in Pencoed in January 2017.
The court heard police went to the couple’s home later that day and noticed an “overwhelming smell” of cannabis as Kelly Pritchard opened the door.
Officers told her they were going to search the house and she admitted the cannabis was in a kitchen drawer. Mr Jowett said they found 55g there, worth up to £530.
Christopher Pritchard, 35, admitted five counts of importing cannabis and one count of possessing cannabis.
Karl Williams, defending, said he was working as a computer engineer and is now running a food delivery business. The couple have three children.
Christopher Pritchard was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, plus six days of a rehabilitation activity. He must pay £340 in costs and a £140 victim surcharge.
Kelly Pritchard, 37, admitted two counts of importing cannabis and one count of possessing cannabis.
Aled Watkins, defending, said she started using cannabis “recreationally” when she was 15 and was using it every day before she was arrested.
Mr Watkins said she and her husband realised their cannabis use was “far too high” and have stopped using it altogether.
Kelly Pritchard was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 10 days of a rehabilitation activity. She was ordered to pay £1,200 in costs – as she pleaded guilty on the day her trial was due to start – and £140 victim surcharge.