AN AMMANFORD drug dealer has admitted messaging people online to encourage them to commit arson.
Michael Arundel, 34, of Mynydd Bach, previously appeared at Swansea Crown Court last week where he admitted a series of drugs charges.
Arundel was charged with possession with intent to supply 497 grams of cocaine on April 29.
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.
- For the latest crime and court news for west Wales, you can join our Facebook group here.
On that occasion, Arundel had denied 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 had initially claimed there were “five or six other people who had access” to the Telegram account, although he would not name them.
However, he returned to Swansea Crown Court on June 13, where he switched these pleas to guilty.
James Hartson, defending, said that the arson offence had been committed, whilst the April 26 arson was “not completed”.
Judge Catherine Richards warned Arundel he will face a prison sentence. She ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared to address the length of this sentence and the defendant’s level of dangerousness.
The trial date of October 3 was vacated, and Arundel was remanded back in to custody to await sentence.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here