Driver had magic mushrooms, LSD and ecstasy pills

POLICE found illegal drugs including LSD, ecstasy tablets and magic mushrooms after an unroadworthy car being driven from a supermarket car park was stopped, a judge heard.

Andrew Nathan Forder-Cross, of Rachub near Bethesda, admitted he had smoked the drug cannabis in the previous hour but denied he had any other drugs.

But a search of the vehicle and his home revealed the illegal drugs, as well as a mobile phone which contained messages relating to drug dealing.

The 24-year-old admitted a charge of possessing MDMA (ecstasy) tablets, an illegal drug of class A, with intent to supply, a charge of possessing LSD, an illegal drug of class A, two charges of possessing Psilocybin or magic mushrooms and cannabis and drug driving.

Anna Pope, prosecuting, said the officers were on patrol late on February 25 last year near the Morrisons supermarket in Bangor and saw Forder-Cross’s vehicle pull out of the car park.

She said: “The vehicle was stopped and officers spoke with the driver. They smelt cannabis and were told there was cannabis in the glove box but the defendant said there were no other drugs in the car.

“But a plastic bag containing drugs, 10 grey tablets and a set of scales were found.

“He failed a roadside drugs test and was arrested,” the barrister said.

A further search of Forder-Cross’s home revealed two LSD tablets and a bag of Psilocybin, or magic mushrooms.

The grey tablets were later found to be ecstasy.

“Interviewed, Forder-Cross said all the drugs were for his own use but an examination of a mobile phone, and Facebook and WhatsApp messages uncovered evidence he was involved in supplying drugs as a street dealer,” added Ms Pope.

Tests showed the proportion of cannabis in his blood was nine micrograms per litre of blood and exceeded the legal limit.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees said: “The serious aspect of this case is revealed in the messages which indicated you were street dealing.”

Suspending an 18-month prison term for two years, the judge said he believed that Forder-Cross now had a better understanding of the effects of his offending behaviour.

But he warned Forder-Cross that if he committed any further imprisonable offence he would have no hesitation in activating the prison sentence.

In addition Forder-Cross was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,200 costs. He must also undertake a drug rehabilitation programme and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.