A drug dealer who was remanded in the same prison as his father’s killer has been ordered to pay back £9,000 after making £36,000 from his illegal activities. Clinton Simms, 23, was found with more than 3kg of cannabis. Simms was raided by police at his home in Cardiff on January 21 where he was found in possession of 3.47kg of cannabis, including herbal cannabis, a large bag of cannabis, and jars containing cannabis. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court in March heard that Simms had £2,600 in cash and cryptocurrency.
Messages on Simms’ phone revealed that he had been dealing cannabis between June 2022 and January this year. Simms admitted to dealing cannabis to support his family after the birth of his daughter. The defendant had recently been released from a 12-month prison sentence for possession of skunk and weapons. Simms pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and being involved in the supply of Class B drugs.
The court learned that Simms had past convictions related to cannabis supply, possession of criminal property, and possession of a firearm. In his defence, barrister Adam Sharp mentioned that Simms’ father had been murdered, and Simms found himself in prison with his father’s killer and those who had attacked and kidnapped him. Simms was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, with half to be served in custody and the rest on licence. At a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) hearing, it was revealed that Simms had made £36,736 but only had assets worth £8,950. Judge Paul Hobson ordered him to pay back £9,000.