A MAN found with almost half a kilogram of cocaine admitted a series of drug offences, but denied he encouraged people online to commit arson.

Michael Arundel, 34, of Mynydd Bach in Ammanford, appeared in the dock at Swansea Crown Court where he faced a host of charges.

Arundel was charged with possession with intent to supply 497 grams of cocaine on April 29.

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He was also accused of two offences of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs – relating to cocaine between August 16 and April 30 and MDMA between August 16 and November 10, and two offences of being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs – relating to cannabis between August 16 and April 30 and ketamine on April 9.

The defendant pleaded guilty to each of these offences.

Arundel was also charged with two offences of intentionally encouraging the commission of an offence – after he was accused of encouraging people via messages on the Telegram app to commit arson on February 28 and arson with intent to endanger the life of another or being reckless as to whether the life of another would be endangered on April 26.

He pleaded not guilty to each of these offences.

James Hartson, defending, said that whilst Arundel admitted being the author of all the Telegram messages relating to the drug offences, he’s denied having written the messages relating to the other offences.

“He says there were five or six other people who had access to that account, but he would not name them,” he said.

Judge Paul Thomas KC set a trial date of October 3. Arundel was remanded back in to custody until his trial.