Man wasted £50,000 grant on crack cocaine

A MAN given a £50,000 UK Government grant ended up blowing the money on drugs.

Louis Maxwell, of Newport, was given the massive government grant for his vehicle recovery firm. The 35-year-old first used the money sensibly – buying a £22,000 tow truck. However, he frittered the remaining money away on crack cocaine before selling the tow truck to buy more of the Class A drug.

And after running up a debt, he then became involved in a drugs conspiracy which made more than £350,000. He also burgled a house of cash and drove dangerously during a police pursuit.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday heard Maxwell was arrested on February 4 last year at an address in Lincoln Court, Caerleon, and was found in possession of a phone.

On the same day, a property in Commercial Road, Newport, that was linked to the drugs conspiracy was raided by police.

The court also heard about a burglary committed by the defendant in Newport, on March 22 last year, when he broke in and stole a bottle containing £200 and a safe containing £150.

On November 30 last year he was seen by a police officer driving a loop in a Vauxhall in Newport. Upon being arrested, Maxwell was found in possession of wraps of cocaine and a Kinder egg containing white powder.

The defendant, of Cumberland Road, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, dangerous driving, failing to stop, possession of cocaine, burglary, failing to provide a specimen and sample, and driving while disqualified. The court heard he had numerous previous convictions for driving offences and burglaries.

Recorder David Elias QC sentenced Maxwell to a total of 46 months in prison. He was also disqualified from driving for three years upon his release.