Police swooped on a house in Oban on Christmas Eve and caught a drug dealer who is now starting the New Year behind bars.
Stephen Kelly, 52,of Dalriach Park Terrace, was in the dock of the town’s sheriff court yesterday when he admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin at his home and elsewhere on dates between November 5 and December 24, last year.
“Police received information that heroin was being supplied from this address. Upon entry it was obvious to them that the accused, Kelly, had been taking heroin; he tried to hide a charred piece of foil,” said Eoin McGinty, procurator fiscal.
The fiscal added that a search of the property found heroin hidden in two plastic toy eggs and in wraps. Digital scales, cling film, scissors, and foil wraps were also found in the property along with £325 in cash in Kelly’s bedroom and another £95.
Kelly had been fighting his addiction for two years, said his defence agent Jane McLaren.
‘He admits it is a disgusting habit,’ she said, adding that he was given Methadone for the first time on Christmas Day when in custody and it had helped stabilise him. Mrs McLaren asked Sheriff John Herald to consider Kelly for a Drug Treatment and Testing Order as a way to help him quit the drug and stop offending.
But Sheriff Herald said: ‘This is the second time you have been before this court concerned in the supply of drugs. There is no alternative but custody.’
Kelly was sentenced to eight months in prison plus another 63 days which were an unserved portion of a previous sentence.
Oban Sheriff Court will hear the case for the forfeiture of the cash on January 31.
