An impatient Aberdeen drug dealer begged a judge to lock him in prison for seven years because he didn’t want to wait until July for his lawyer to argue for reduced jail time.
Jay Paul Barry Thompson, 21, had previous convictions for drug dealing when police caught him in Aberdeen in March 2023 with cocaine and heroin.
On Tuesday, Advocate Gareth Reid told the High Court in Edinburgh that, under the law, somebody in his client’s position should receive an automatic seven-year jail term.
But he claimed there may be reasons concerning Thompson’s background that would allow the court to impose a lesser sentence.
Mr Reid urged the court to obtain a report and defer sentence and then he would tell the court why his client should not receive the automatic jail term.
But then the 21-year-old, who was observing proceedings via video link, could be seen shaking his head.
When Lady Haldane asked him why he was doing this, the offender replied: “I will be honest. I would rather get sentenced today”.
Aberdeen house raid uncovered £3,040 of cocaine and £630 of heroin
Lady Haldane managed to persuade Thompson to allow his lawyer to do his job.
She said: “I think Mr Reid is trying to do his best for you. He is trying to persuade me not to impose the statutory minimum on you in this case”.
Thompson’s statement emerged during a hearing in which he pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin on March 29 2023 at a house in Park Street, Aberdeen.
Prosecutor Stewart Ronnie told the court that police received intelligence that Thompson was dealing drugs from the property.
Police obtained a search warrant and after raiding the property found Thompson in possession of cocaine with a maximum street value of £3,040 and heroin worth £630.
Police arrested him and he was charged with drug dealing.
Mr Ronnie told the court that Thompson had convictions from England.
He added: “He has analogous Crown Court convictions regarding the supply of heroin and cocaine and possession of cocaine and heroin with intent to supply.
“He also has two convictions for the possession of knives.”
‘There are exceptional circumstances’
Mr Reid told Lady Haldane that she shouldn’t sentence Thompson on the spot to seven years.
He said the sentencing guidelines on dealing with young people may apply in the case.
He added: “He has been sentenced to periods in detention. This is the first time he will serve a period in custody as an adult.
“It is the first time he will serve a sentence in Scotland. The court would benefit from obtaining a criminal justice social work report, in my submission.
“It would be my intention to specifically address these circumstances in the future hearing; that there are exceptional circumstances in this case.”
After being addressed by Lady Haldane, Thompson then became quiet and she deferred sentence for the court to obtain a report, which will be conducted by a specially trained social worker.
She added: “I would encourage you to allow Mr Reid to make the submission on your behalf.
“It is very much in your interests for you to co-operate with the social worker and to provide them with as much information on your behalf.”
Thompson, of Tipton in Derbyshire, England, will be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on July 10 2023.
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