Choir member in party drug GHB shame

A member of the renowned Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir has admitted charges linked to the lethal party drug GHB in Oswestry.

Carl Ellis was 'very highly thought of' by the choir. He joined the bass section in March last year – but at the same time he was arranging for ingredients that make up the class C drug to be imported in from abroad and delivered to his house, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard yesterday.

Judge Mark Eades told the 21-year-old he had played his part in the 'scourge' affecting the town, once recognised as the GHB hotspot of Britain, as a result of the drug.

In April last year seven people were arrested when about 100 officers were involved in simultaneous drugs raids as part of a crackdown.

The court heard Ellis, of Oerley Way, Oswestry, was one of those taken in by police.

He admitted being involved in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition or restriction on a controlled substance and being concerned in the production of a controlled drug. The two charges related to a period between December 1, 2010, and September 22 last year.

Ellis also admitted possession of the drug GHB on April 14 last year.

Mr Andrew Barkley, prosecuting, said police raided Ellis' home on April 14 and found individual bottles which contained more than two litres of GHB.

He added: "When interviewed by police, he accepted he had imported GBL, which is a component in the drug to make GHB."

The court heard UK Border Agency officials also intercepted a package coming into the country from abroad on September 13 last year which was being delivered to Ellis' home address and was found to contain 500ml of GBL.

Mrs Debra White, for Ellis, said Ellis was a 'changed young man'.

She said: "He is a member of a local choir where he is very highly thought of."

Judge Mark Eades sentenced Ellis to six months in prison but opted to suspend the term for two years after hearing the positive references in court.

Mr Dave Jones, chairman of the choir, confirmed that Ellis was a member but he declined to comment on the court appearance.

Simon Parry, 30, of Old Fort Road, Oswestry, also appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court and admitted charges of supplying and producing GHB.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence reports.