Sheriff takes high level of drug deaths into account in sentencing heroin dealer

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A sheriff has taken into account the high rate of drug deaths in Dundee in sentencing a heroin dealer to four years in prison, The Courier reports.

Sheriff Alistair Brown told Garry O’Prey, 29, that drug deaths in Dundee are double the national average as he handed down a sentence that will serve as a warning to others involved in the supply of class A drugs.

Sheriff Brown said: “According to figures I’ve seen recently, drug deaths in Dundee are running at a higher level than anywhere else in Scotland.

“Those who are concerned in supplying class A drugs, particularly diamorphine, in or to Dundee must understand not only that the High Court has made it clear they will not be dealt with gently, but that I regard the rate of drug deaths related to the drug as a relevant factor.”

Mr O’Prey was pulled over by police on the outskirts of Dundee in February following a tip-off.

They found half a kilo of heroin in his car of a purity almost double that typically found on the streets.

Charmaine Gilmartin, depute fiscal, told Dundee Sheriff Court: “The drugs recovered would have had an as-seen value of between £9,000 and £13,500.”

Mr O’Prey pled guilty on indictment to being concerned in the supply of heroin.

Neal McShane, defence solicitor, said: “He is aware the outcome here will be a lengthy prison sentence.

“He had been released from prison and was working but lost that employment.

“Having previously been in prison he knows persons involved in crime. This proposal was put to him – he was to be paid £500 – and he foolishly accepted it. He let himself, his partner and his child down.”

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