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South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Caerphilly drug-driver jailed for series of driving offences
Newport Crown Court heard witnesses saw Neo Maguire 'struggling to stand up' as he staggered towards his Ford Ka in Trethomas on November 16. Within minutes, police located Maguire – who was driving 'erratically' – and he turned into a dead-end road. Maguire tried to flee on foot, leaving his passenger in the car, but was tackled to the ground by an officer and was arrested. When searched, cannabis was found in his wallet. Maguire was taken to hospital, and blood tests revealed he had 240 micrograms of benzoylecgonine - the main metabolite of cocaine - per litre (µg/L) of blood. There was also THC present. The prosecution said this was 'nearly five times the limit' for benzoylecgonine, which is 50µg/L. Checks also revealed Maguire was disqualified from driving and had no insurance. He was released under investigation. Weeks later, at around 9.45am on January 12, police attended Nantgarw Road in Caerphilly following reports of a man asleep inside a car with the engine running who couldn't be woken. Officers attended, and Maguire eventually woke up. However he was slurring his words and couldn't get out of the car. The defendant was slightly over the drink-drive limit in a roadside test, but was under the limit when he was breathalysed at the police station. He refused to take a drugs test, and told officers 'I don't care. I'm f***** anyway' before adding that he was an alcoholic. Due to his issues with cocaine, Maguire was referred to an assessment with the Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service on January 27. However, he failed to show up. Neo Maguire was driving under the influence in Caerphilly. (Image: Gwent Police) Maguire pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified, driving whilst unfit through drugs, being in charge of a vehicle whilst unfit through drink or drugs, driving without a licence, two offences of driving with no insurance, possession of cannabis, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He also admitted failing to attend a follow-up drug assessment. The court heard that Maguire, 24, of Keble Court in Graig-Y-Rhacca, had three previous convictions for six offences – including dangerous driving in 2021 and 2024 despite never passing his driving test. 'He's pragmatic about his position,' said Alice Sykes, mitigating. 'His relatively young life has been blighted by alcoholism.' Ms Sykes said Maguire had been working to address his issues with alcohol, and had completed a previous alcohol treatment requirement. The court heard the defendant was subject to a suspended sentence at the time of these latest offences. 'Within only five months of that sentence, you committed more driving offences,' said Judge Carl Harrison. Maguire was jailed for a total of 30 weeks.
South Wales Argus
03-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Newport woman sold drugs to her friends and family
Former forklift driver and crane operator Thea Kassim, 30, from Newport was arrested after police raided her home Emma Harris, prosecuting, told the city's crown court how officers found an iPhone with messages offering cannabis for sale. They also seized two bags of the class B drug weighing 6.95g and £380.29 in cash. Miss Harris said: 'The messages downloaded from the phone advertising cannabis for sale are typical of street deals.' 'The defendant played a significant role with an expectation of financial gain. 'There is no naivety or exploitation in this case.' Kassim, of Clyffard Crescent, Newport admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and possession of cannabis. She pleaded guilty on the basis that she only sold the class B drug to friends and family. This was accepted by the prosecution. The offences occurred between December 30, 2023 and April 30, 2024. She has four previous convictions for five offences which include shoplifting when she was a juvenile. Kassim's most recent brush with the law came this year when she was fined for possession of cannabis on March 17. Her barrister David Pinnell told the court that his client was the sole carer of her disabled 12-year-old son. 'This was a one-woman band,' he said in mitigation. 'It was all related to her. 'She was candid in her pre-sentence report interview with the probation officer. 'The defendant previously managed to overcome more serious drug use and she is currently working with the Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service (GDAS) over cannabis.' The judge, Recorder Andrew Hammond, told Kassim that although she had only sold to friends and family she must have at least made 'a small profit'. He added: "It is also aggravated by the fact that you were supplying from home where there was a child. 'However, by working with GDAS you are trying to turn your life around.' Kassim was sentenced to an 18-month community order. The defendant must carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement. She was ordered to pay £554 by paying £400 towards prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge. The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis and the forfeiture of the cash. Before she left the dock, Recorder Hammond said to her: 'Look on this as your last chance.'
