A MAN from Prestatyn who was caught with cannabis in Rhyl, which he said he was selling to “work off drug debts”, has been handed a community order.

Lewis Gizzi, 21, was sentenced at Mold Crown Court today (July 22).

He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

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Prosecuting, Patrick Gartland told the court that, at about 10.15am on March 25, 2023, Gizzi was stopped and searched in Rhyl, and was found in possession of a “large quantity” of cannabis, £245, and a mobile phone.

Gizzi was arrested, and his home was then searched, where more cannabis, another phone, and scales and packaging were all recovered and seized.

Analysis of the phones revealed messages relating to the sale of drugs, while the cannabis was said to have a street value of £925.

He initially said the cannabis was for his own personal use, but later said he had been selling it to pay off debts.

Since his arrest, he claimed, he had been attacked by those selling drugs with a hammer, and dragged into a vehicle.

Defending Gizzi, whose only previous conviction was for assault, Simon Killeen said a “very positive pre-sentence report” had been compiled on his client’s behalf.

Mr Killeen asked the court to take note of the fact he was “only 19” when he was found with the cannabis, and said he now realises he had involved himself with some “not very nice people”.

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts accepted that Gizzi had become involved in drug supply by a “degree of naivety and pressure”.

He told Gizzi: “Your explanation, sadly, is not an uncommon one. You turned from being a drug user to a drug dealer to pay off your debt.”

Judge Petts handed Gizzi a 18-month community order, which will involve a 35-session programme requirement, 10 days’ rehabilitation activity, and 100 hours’ unpaid work.

The phones, money, drugs and paraphernalia seized were all ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

“For the next 18 months, you’ve still got this case hanging over you,” Judge Petts added to Gizzi.

“But if you stay out of trouble, and do everything probation says, that will be the end of this.”