A solicitor accused of drug dealing claims he was going through the worst time of his life when messages were shared in a WhatsApp group linked to cocaine supply. Ben Garvey, 38, from Port Talbot, is on trial at Bristol Crown Court for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and perverting the course of justice.
Garvey represented his alleged dealer, Daniel Baker, 34, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a class A drug. The court heard Garvey passed messages from Baker’s runner, Jake Blackburn, 28, while Baker was in police custody. Prosecutor Ray Tully KC read 18,000 messages from the chat, including pictures and memes about cocaine.
During cross-examination, Garvey said: “That was the worst period of my life ever. My daughter was born, her granddad went missing and later died, and I had mental health issues.” He added that many messages were just boys being stupid in a WhatsApp group where things weren’t meant to be taken seriously.
Garvey denies all charges, while Baker and Blackburn have pleaded guilty to various drug-related offences. The trial continues.