A heroin addict was commended by a Sheriff for his “frankness” yesterday – then jailed for two years.
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood was told that 36-year-old Christopher Morley wanted to go to prison because it would help him overcome his addiction.
Morley had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of over £3,500 worth of heroin from his home in Lochalsh Court, Inverness, and in Maple Drive.
The offences occurred between December 5, 2015, and February 13 last year.
Sentence had been deferred for a background report and his defence solicitor Marc Dickson told the court that his client believed the better place for him was in custody. Social workers had recommended a drug treatment and testing order for Morley.
But Mr Dickson added: “Being on remand has given him the opportunity to detoxify and reflect on his life. He is still at a low ebb and he would be better able to resist the temptations of returning to his addiction.”
Sheriff Fleetwood told Morley: “I commend you on your frankness. But being concerned in the supply of drugs merits a custodial sentence unless there are exceptional circumstances.”
At a hearing last month, fiscal depute Michelle Molley told Sheriff Fleetwood that Morley was detained and searched by police in Maple Drive, Inverness and heroin was found in plastic bags in one of his socks, in his hand and in his jacket,
Cash totalling £1,745.11 was also recovered – £800 of it in his undewrwear – but he denied to officers that he was dealing.
Ms Molley said that his home was searched on February 13 and more drugs were found, again hidden in his socks.
“Also recovered were mobile phones, scales, packets of powder and controlled drugs, tick lists, knives and a knuckleduster all indicative of him being concerned in the supplying of controlled drugs.”
The total weight, she added, was 31.49 grams with a street value of between £1,350 and £3,520.
