A teenager groomed by a vicious county lines gang to become a drugs supplier has been sentenced to 18 months in youth custody.
Magistrates heard the 16-year-old called Connor was forced into selling them after he started taking drugs himself and fell into debt.
He was caught when he was seen passing drugs to another person at a party and was arrested. Police officers found him to be in possession of Ketamine, a Class B controlled drug. He was charged with possessing drugs with intent to supply.
When he appeared before the court he pleaded guilty to the charge. The youngster also admitted possessing a bladed article, a knife, and threatening behaviour.
There were emotional scenes at Llandudno Magistrates Court as Connor was led away to begin his sentence at a Young Offenders Institution.
But although based on real events, this was actually a drama workshop organised as part of the pioneering Justice in a Day project and ‘Connor’ was actually actor Joseph Asher.
Organised by the North Wales Police and Community Trust (PACT), the aim of the project is to give young people across North Wales a taste of how the criminal justice system works and the devastating effect crime can have on families and the community.
The day-long workshop, created by actors and creatives at Mold-based Theatr Clwyd, was attended by 36 Year 8 and 9 pupils from Ysgol John Bright in Llandudno as part of their Personal Social and Health Education studies.
According to PACT chair Ashley Rogers, the Justice in a Day scheme has been running for 15 years and during that time around 9,000 young people have been given a real insight into how the criminal justice system works.
He said: “It really does give young people the opportunity to get an awareness of how the criminal justice system works and really importantly understand the consequences of criminal behaviour on the offender, the victim and also the community as a whole.
“The day is exceptionally powerful and what we hope it encourages good citizenship at a crucial age in our young people’s development.”
Mr Rogers said it was also equally important that Justice in a Day with the context and background from the case studies in the programme, helps to explain why criminal behaviour can occur.
“Seeing from the viewpoint of both victims and offenders really does help you to understand why a crime has happened and then the impacts of that behaviour. We try and give that multifaceted view and hopefully this means a better understanding for the young people taking part in the programme.”
Assistant director Bethan Haf Jones from Theatr Clwyd said the Justice in a Day course is based on real life cases from courts across North Wales.
She said: “The actors tell the story and the pupils discuss what they think the sentence should be but we have a real magistrate to deliver what the actual sentence was and explain why the court came to the decision it did.
“It’s about talking to young people in a way they can understand and hopefully help explain what can happen if they get involved in crime.”
Hannah McLaughlin, 13, said she had realised that television depicted crime and justice in a different way to real life.
“We need to educate young people that drugs do no one any good and that many people will be affected by one person’s action,” she said.
Connor Smith, also 12, said: “I didn’t know the court took into account the offender’s background and that the main purpose is to try and help (the offender).
“I feel some sympathy towards the offender because with support he could have a good future.”
His friend Leon Sullivan, 12, said: “I’ve learned a lot about how the justice system works and the difference between adult and youth courts.”
Eloise Blundell said she had never been in a real courtroom before.
“We’ve talked about drugs and their effects in school but today has been different I’ve learned a lot about how the justice system works and the difference between adult and youth courts,” she said.
Among those present during the day was Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Wayne Jones, a former senior detective.
He said the scenario presented was an example of the threat posed by criminal gangs extending their organised crime activity from urban centres into small towns and villages across the UK.
He added: “The value of the day is for young people to gain an insight into the criminal justice system and see justice in action.
“And if it diverts anyone away from the criminal justice system that’s a good thing.”
The Justice in a Day project has received £64,974 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is supported by Conwy County Borough Council.
