A ‘traumatic’ police raid which led to drugs with an estimated street value of more than £1,700 being seized, was a ‘life-changing event’ for a Monkton man.

Christopher Andrew Tindale, formerly of Merlins Bridge, now living in Longmains, Monkton, pleaded guilty to possession of 173.3g of cannabis when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday, July 17.

Vaughan Pritchard-Jones, prosecuting, told the court that 60 individual wraps of cannabis were discovered during a search at Tindale’s home on October 10.

Tindale’s telephone was seized and an investigation was launched into his finances, but no evidence of dealing was found.

He told officers that he smoked 1.6g of the drug each day and travelled to Merthyr to pay £200 for an ounce, which he then split into daily amounts to control his own use.

The court heard that the amount seized had an estimated street value of £1,733, despite Tindale, 35, stating he had paid considerably less.

Mike Kelleher, defending, said: “The police raid was very traumatic for the family.

“It was an immediate wake-up call for him. He cut down on his cannabis use, and in the months since has cut it out altogether.”

He added: “This has been a life-changing event for him.”

The chairman of the bench said: “You have got responsibilities here.

“They don’t want a druggie as a father I’m sure. I hope you carry on and turn your life around.

“I really applaud you for quitting it, and I really hope you do not go back to it.”

Tindale was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 surcharge. A destruction order was made for the seized Class B drugs.