Judge allows criminal to go on holiday to TENERIFE before he is sentenced but tells him: 'Don't let me down' Colin Watson was appearing in court in Cardiff on drugs and weapons charges He is facing jail but the judge allowed him to go on holiday before his sentencing Campaigners have hit out, saying it sends the wrong message to crime victims By Zak Newland For Mailonline Published: 01:17 BST, 22 May 2019 | Updated: 01:18 BST, 22 May 2019 Viewcomments A judge has agreed to delay the sentencing of a criminal convicted of possessing drugs and weapons, telling the crook he can go on holiday to Tenerife in the meantime. Colin Watson, 51, was caught with cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis in Newport last October, and police also found a stun gun and an extendable baton when they searched him. Watson appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to possessing a prohibited weapon, an offensive weapon, and drugs. But in a bizarre turn of events, Judge Jeremy Jenkins agreed that Watson, from Pontypool, can go on a pre-booked holiday to the Canary Islands before he is sentenced. Colin Watson was appearing at Cardiff Crown Court (above) on charges of possessing drugs and offensive weapons The Daily Telegraph reports the judge told Watson: 'Don't let me down.' Watson had been spared an immediate jail sentence after his defence barrister, Hashim Salmman, asked the judge for time to prepare a pre-sentence report. The request was turned down by Judge Jenkins, but Mr Salmman then asked for permission for Watson to go on his pre-booked summer break to Tenerife before being sentenced. Agreeing to the request, the judge set a new date for the crook's sentencing as 'an act of mercy'. Watson is facing a maximum possible sentence of ten years in jail for the stun gun offence, and campaigners have hit out at the judge's decision, saying it sends mixed messages to crime victims. Harry Fletcher, a victims' rights campaigner, told the Telegraph: 'It is quite extraordinary and virtually unprecedented in my experience for a judge to adjourn sentencing of a convicted serious offender to allow them to go and enjoy a holiday. 'It's also a bizarre message to send to victims of all crime who are concerned about sentencing in this country.' Judge Jenkins told Watson: 'You have pleaded guilty to a number of very serious matters. I am trusting you. Don't let me down.' Watson is due back in court on May 31. A spokesman for the judiciary said: 'Judges take different factors into account when sentencing or setting a timescale for sentence.' Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility