A court has ordered a Haverfordwest man to pay £415 after he turned to drugs while dealing with personal difficulties.

Simon Arnold, of Fleming Crescent, pleaded guilty to Class A drug possession when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, April 30.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, said Arnold was a passenger in a vehicle which pulled up behind a police car in Haverfordwest at 1pm on April 10.

The officers’ suspicions were aroused by Arnold’s behaviour, as he appeared distressed.

“He appeared to be trying to take something out of his pocket. Officers removed him from the vehicle and searched him. They found the drugs in his wallet.”

Arnold, 26, stated the eight grams of cocaine were for his personal use.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said Arnold had no previous convictions for drug matters, and had bought the amount in question because it was cheaper to buy larger quantities.

“Mr Arnold was going through a difficult time in his personal life. He had relationship problems and also recently lost his accommodation.

“As a result, and for the first time, he turned to drugs.”

Magistrates fined Arnold £300 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £30 surcharge.

A destruction order was made for the seized drugs.