Drug dealer remanded in same prison as man who murdered his father

13 March 2024 , 22:32

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Clinton Simms, 23, was found with more than 3kg of cannabis when police raided his home in Cardiff (Image: South Wales Police)

A drug dealer was remanded into the same prison as his father's murderer - and the men who allegedly kidnapped him.

Clinton Simms, 23, was raided by police at his home in Cardiff on January 21 where he was found in possession of 3.47kg of cannabis. This included a 1.75kg of herbal cannabis, a large bag of cannabis, and 173 labelled jars containing between 3.4g and 3.6g of cannabis. In a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday 12 March, the court heard that the defendant was found with £2,600 in cash and also possessed cryptocurrency.

Simms phone messages revealed that he had been dealing cannabis between June 2022 and January 2023, Media Wales reports. Upon being arrested Simms admitted to dealing cannabis to support his family after the birth of his daughter. Simms, had recently been released from a prison sentence of 12 months imprisonment after he'd been found with 100kg of skunk and weapons.

Simms, of Archer Crescent, Ely, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs. The court heard Simms's previous convictions for possession with intent to supply cannabis, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, possession of criminal property, and possession of a firearm.

In mitigation, defence barrister Adam Sharp said his clients father Clint Simms was stabbed in the chest and died as a result of his injuries. Mr Simms' murderer Stephen Pike was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 20 years. Whilst on remand, Simms found himself in the same prison as his father's murderer and individuals he alleges assaulted and kidnapped him.

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Simms barrister Mr Sharp said Simms had a long-term partner, two stepchildren and a daughter who is one-years-old. Mr Sharp added that both Simms and his partner were out of work and were struggling to make things work financially or make ends meet. He said Simms turned to drug dealing to support his family and pay off debts who his old drug habits with cannabis. During the sentencing, the judge told Simms he was "peddling misery," and also took into consideration that he had not long been out of prison.

Sentencing, Judge Shomon Khan said: "You understand the impact drugs have on communities, on drug users, on people in general – you're peddling misery. This is a significant-role case, a proper retail enterprise and supply of cannabis, made more serious by the fact you had not been long out of prison." Simms was sentenced to a total of 18 months imprisonment, he will serve half his sentence in custody before being released to serve the remainder on licence.

Mariam Khan