MAGISTRATES have handed a Powys teenager a conditional discharge after a drug possession charge dating back to when he was a youth took almost two years to come to court.

Maximilian Woolrych-Higgins, 19, admitted one charge of possessing 90 grams of cannabis in Newtown in July 2022 when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, June 18.

The court heard that two more cannabis charges from mid-2022 had already been dealt with, with no explanation for why this case took so long to come to court.

Woolrych-Higgins, of Swallows Meadow, Castle Caereinion, appeared on the court list jointly charged with his mother for the offence – she was driving the car in which her son was a passenger when they were stopped on New Road, Newtown, on July 14, 2022.

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The case against her was swiftly dropped by prosecutor Rachael Drew, who said: “Police attention was drawn to a black Audi A3 at around 5pm.

“The defendant was a passenger. His mother was driving and the vehicle was stopped.

“Police detained the defendant and found cash in a black satchel he had. The vehicle was searched and when the boot was opened, there was a strong smell of cannabis.

“In a Berghaus holdall police found three plastic wraps of herbal cannabis, weighing 90g.

“There was a further search at the house later, where drug paraphernalia was found, including two grinders.”

Ms Drew said the defendant gave a no comment interview. She said he had two previous convictions – both of which have been dealt with before this one.

She said Woolrych-Higgins was convicted of possessing cannabis on July 23 and August 31, 2022.

Rob Hanratty, representing Woolrych-Higgins, said: “Bear in mind he was 17 at the time of these matters. It would have likely been youth work.

“All the information was available 2 years ago. It’s farcical really. The fact his mum was charged at all is really odd.

“He is a fine young man who is in full-time employment as a joiner and he and his girlfriend are expecting their first child. He is a very pleasant young man.”

Mr Hanratty added: “His older sibling died very tragically prior to this, leaving Max traumatised. Someone suggested he might find relief from anxiety by smoking cannabis.

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“Since the last offence, he has not used cannabis at all and lives a clean life.”

Woolrych-Higgins was given a two-year conditional discharge – meaning he will not be punished as long as he remains out of trouble for the next two years.

Magistrates said they’d arrived at this decision due to the length of time that had passed, the fact it pre-dates offences he has been dealt with for and his age at the time.

They ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £26 surcharge. They also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and grinders.