A north-east man who lost both his legs to heroin has been jailed after selling the drug to undercover police officers.
David Strachan was tricked into supplying the Class A drug to officers who were investigating links between local dealers and English crime gangs.
Police infiltrated Fraserburgh’s drug scene, and had been tipped off that a “man in a wheelchair” was a source of the drug.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard yesterday that Strachan, 41, was caught as part of Operation Corner – a crackdown on predominantly English organised crime groups targeting the region to sell drugs.
Fiscal depute Colin Neilson said: “They were investigating Liverpool-based crime groups operating in Peterhead, and those assisting them.
“The witnesses in this case were trained undercover officers, and during the early stage of their employment in Fraserburgh they received intelligence from local drug dealers.
“They were advised that they could obtain heroin by seeking out a wheelchair user with the nickname of ‘Poonya’.
“They got a phone number for the accused, and arranged to visit his home.”
Strachan sold the men a wrap containing a brown substance on August 15 last year, which was later analysed and found to be heroin.
The following day, the officers returned to Strachan’s home on Moray Road and again purchased a bag of the Class A drug worth £20.
At 9.20am on October 18, a team of officers kicked in Strachan’s door and searched his property for drugs.
Mr Neilson confirmed that nothing illegal was found at that time, but Strachan later admitted a being concerned in the supply of heroin when confronted with the undercover officers’ findings.
Defence agent Leonard Burkinshaw said Strachan had a “longstanding” problem with heroin but is now hoping to conquer his demons.
Mr Burkinshaw said: “He accepts that he has been selling drugs in order to feed his own habit.
“My client is on benefits and was buying in bulk, to get it at a cheaper rate.
“The accused struggles with his health, and has a house which has been especially adapted for his particular needs.”
Sheriff Graeme Napier agreed to limit the sentence imposed upon Strachan to one year, to “recognise his physical condition and the impact custody will have on him”.
Meanwhile, a woman from Fraserburgh was put on a year-long supervision order after admitting charges of selling heroin and cocaine in the town last year.
Christabel Moir, 35, admitted dealing heroin in a lane near the Nisa shop on Finlayson Street, in a lane near West Road and at a property on Academy Road between June 20 and August 21 last year.
She admitted supplying cocaine in the lane near West Road, and at the same Academy Road address, between July 4 and August 8.
The accused appeared on remand from HMP Grampian, where she has been held for the past 10 months.
Sheriff Napier said he was “willing to take the chance” that Moir had “turned the corner” while locked up.
She was spared further time behind bars and will instead remain under supervision for the next 12 months. She was also put on a curfew.
