Key Points
- Trouble drenched Dylan Mowles, 24, from Brecon has received a jail sentence of three years but it has been suspended for three years because he committed offences against drugs laws.
- In September at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, Mowles pleaded guilty for offences concerning cocaine, cannabis and ketamine.
- These offences include supplying of cocaine and cannabis from 29 December 2024 to 29 March 2025, and possessing with the intention of supplying cannabis and ketamine on 28 March 2025.
- He was arrested at a warrant executed at his residence situated at Newgate Street, Brecon in March 2025 after he was found hiding inside a garden shed.
- Ketamine, cannabis, digital scales, two iPhones and cash were recovered during the execution of the warrant.
- It was told in court that the seized devices had messages that indicate drug supply including customers requesting for Class A and Class B drugs.
- Defense argued that he was spending around £500-£1,000 a week on various substances and was dealing drugs to support an addiction.
- The court was told that he had been clean of drugs for 12 months, had engaged with Kaleidoscope, had supportive accommodation and some part-time work.
- Judge Richard Kember suspended the sentence and placed Mowles on 12 months’ drug rehabilitation, monthly court review and 200 hours of unpaid work.
- Drugs and paraphernalia will be forfeited and destroyed; he will have to pay victim surcharge.
Wales (Wales Times) November 10, 2026 — A 24-year-old Brecon man who was arrested in a garden shed after police found drugs, scales and phones linked to supply has avoided immediate imprisonment after the court was told he had overcome an addiction that once cost him up to £1,000 a week. Dylan Mowles received a three-year prison sentence, suspended for three years, at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.
As reported by the County Times, Mowles admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis between 29 December 2024 and 29 March 2025. He also admitted possession with intent to supply cannabis and ketamine on 28 March 2025.
The court heard that officers executed a warrant at Mowles’s home address in Newgate Street, Brecon, in March 2025. Prosecuting barrister Alycia Carpanini said he was arrested inside a shed in the property’s garden, which contained a makeshift bed, clothing, a television, a games console and a heater, suggesting that he had been living there.
What did police find at the Brecon property?
Officers seized 3.39g of ketamine, valued by prosecutors at between £50 and £60, and 24.33g of ketamine, valued at between £600 and £1,200. They also seized 18g of cannabis in snap bags, valued at £220, and a further 3.7g of cannabis, valued at between £20 and £40.
The search also recovered two digital scales, two Apple iPhones and £60 in cash. The court was told that the devices contained messages indicative of drug supply.
Ms Carpanini said the messages showed customers requesting Class A and Class B drugs from the defendant. She said Mowles supplied drugs directly to users and that a “tick list” was located on one of his devices.
Mowles gave a “no comment” interview after his arrest, the court heard.
Why was Dylan Mowles spared immediate custody?
Defence barrister Julia Cox told the court that Mowles had been “out of trouble” for the previous 12 months and was appearing before the court “drug-free”.
Ms Cox said Mowles began using crack cocaine at the age of 17 and developed an addiction that affected his judgement and contributed to his offending. She said he had been effectively homeless, living in a shed and occasionally sofa-surfing, while spending between £500 and £1,000 a week on substances.
According to the defence, that spending created debts to other people, which led Mowles to deal drugs in order to fund his own habit. The court was told that, since his arrest, he had made significant progress.
Ms Cox said Mowles had fully engaged with drug support organisation Kaleidoscope, secured supported accommodation and begun working part-time. She argued that an immediate custodial sentence could significantly affect that progress.
What sentence did Judge Richard Kember impose?
After a brief adjournment, Judge Richard Kember said he was content to suspend the sentence. He said he would also take into account a letter Mowles had sent ahead of the hearing, which the judge described as “an articulate, insightful and perceptive document” that was “revealing”.
Mowles received a three-year prison sentence for supplying cocaine, suspended for three years. For the other three offences, he received nine months in custody, suspended for two years. All sentences are to run concurrently.
He must also complete a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement, including monthly reviews with the court, and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work. Judge Kember agreed to the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and associated paraphernalia.
No order for costs was made, but Mowles must pay a victim surcharge.
What support is available in Powys?
Kaleidoscope Powys provides support for people affected by drug or alcohol use, including one-to-one help, recovery support and harm-reduction services. The organisation says support is available across Powys, including in Welshpool, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Brecon and Ystradgynlais.
People seeking help can contact Kaleidoscope Powys on 01686 207111 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or visit its website for service information.
Background of the development
The case concerns offences said to have taken place in Brecon and the surrounding area between late December 2024 and late March 2025. Mowles first appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court in September 2026, when he entered guilty pleas to the charges.
The sentencing hearing took place on Monday, 9 November 2026. The court’s decision to suspend the prison terms followed evidence about Mowles’s recovery, including his engagement with Kaleidoscope, his supported accommodation and his part-time employment.
The case also highlights the role of drug support services in Powys. Kaleidoscope’s services include recovery support and harm reduction, and are available in several towns across the county, including Brecon.
Prediction: how the case may affect people in Powys
For people in Powys affected by drug use, the outcome may reinforce the importance of early engagement with local recovery services. The court was told that Mowles’s progress followed sustained engagement with Kaleidoscope, supported accommodation and part-time work, factors that were presented as relevant to the suspended sentence.
For residents in Brecon and wider Mid Wales, the case may also draw attention to the availability of support services across the county. Kaleidoscope Powys offers one-to-one assistance, recovery support and harm-reduction services in locations including Brecon, Welshpool, Newtown, Llandrindod Wells and Ystradgynlais.
For people facing similar addiction-related offending, the case may show that courts can consider rehabilitation and stability when deciding whether a prison sentence should be suspended. However, the sentence remains a three-year custodial term, meaning Mowles could be returned to custody if he breaches the suspension requirements during the operational period.
