A drug dealer who police found a "significant" amount of heroin and almost £5,000 in cash at his Llanfyllin home will be sentenced by a judge later this month.

Liam Wainwright, aged 42, pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to supply almost 40 grams of the Class A drug as well as possessing almost 18 grams of cannabis.

Almost three years since police searched his home, Wainwright will be sentenced at Mold Crown Court on Monday, November 20.

Wainwright, of Maes y Dderwen, appeared at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, November 7, to plead guilty to both charges.

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The court was told that after police carried out a search warrant, they found Wainwright and his partner at the property on February 1, 2021, along with the heroin, cannabis, cash, and digital scales with residue.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said Wainwright had told police that the cannabis was for personal use and not for supplying to other drug users.

Robert Hanratty, defence, told the magistrates' that there was "significant and substantial" mitigation in Wainwright's case

"His lifestyle is different from 2021 to now," Mr Hanratty said.

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"Why has it taken since 2021 for this to come to court? People’s lives change during that period. It's making a mockery really.

"Mr Wainwright admitted a significant amount of heroin and he admits on the basis that a small group of people would have benefitted from it."

The magistrates bench decided that the case was "beyond our sentencing powers" and decided to send it to Mold Crown Court. Wainwright was granted unconditional bail to return to court  for his sentencing hearing on November 20.