A WOMAN from Rhyl who formerly represented the Welsh national learning disabilities football team avoided jail after admitting possession of class A and B drugs.

Hannah Gibbon, 31, of Victoria Road, was handed a community order at Caernarfon Crown Court today (March 15).

She was also convicted of possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Prosecuting, Dafydd Roberts told the court of an “unhappy tale”, which began on October 23, 2020, when Gibbon was seen by police to be acting suspiciously while riding a bike.

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After following her, officers stopped Gibbon a short distance from her home; at which point, she dropped her bike and ran off.

The police caught up with her, and she was found to be carrying a phone, and a piece of paper with names and numbers written on it.

Gibbon was arrested, and cannabis was found in the bag she was carrying.

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Police discovered 107.62g of cannabis and a 1.67g of cocaine during a search of her home, as well as other drug paraphernalia.

An expert said that the valued of the cannabis recovered had a street value of just more than £1,000.

Analysis of the phone which was seized provided evidence that Gibbon had been dealing cannabis to several customers between February and October 2020.

Gibbon, who had 14 previous convictions for 21 offences, was interviewed twice, during which she admitted possession of cannabis and cocaine but denied any intention to supply.

Defending, Simon Killeen invited the court to impose a community order involving further support for Gibbon, a woman who, he said, has lived a “chaotic lifestyle”.

Mr Killeen also highlighted the “inordinate delay” in sentencing Gibbon for matters which took place roughly two-and-a-half years ago, and her adherence to a suspended sentence order issued to her in the meantime.

He told the Gibbon has suffered with issues of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, has previously self-harmed, and has a “reliance, certainly, on alcohol”.

Mr Killeen added: “The problems faced by this young lady are manifold, and will not be solved immediately.

“I’ve represented her for many years; she was the Welsh national goalkeeper for the team with learning disabilities - that’s all gone now.”

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts imposed a two-year community order, six months’ drug rehabilitation, and 30 days’ rehabilitation activity.

He ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and the paraphernalia seized.

Judge Petts told Gibbon: “For reasons explained but not excused, it has taken an inordinately long time for you to be brought to court.

“For the next two years, this case is still hanging over you.

“Please make every effort to build on the efforts you have already been making, and to put the events of 2020 behind you.”