Heroin man gets nine years

Judge brands his story‘ridiculous’

A career criminal with a horrendous record was jailed last Friday for nine years after being convicted of being concerned in the supply of heroin.

Gary Campbell (49) of Loudon Street, Strathaven, was caught with a cutting agent for heroin in his home.

And he was told that his latest conviction looked like ‘an occupational hazard’,

Traces of heroin were found on scales and a blender when the house was raided by police on April 27, last year.

But no heroin – apart from the minute traces – was found. Campbell, who has six previous offences for misuse of drugs and 43 offences for dishonesty, claimed he knew nothing about drug dealing.

He claimed that he had been given the blender and scales by an acquaintance after moving into the house and did not realise there were traces of the drug on them.

At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lord Mulholland told Campbell, who is unemployed and on benefits: “You will know what happens when someone is addicted to heroin and the effect it has on their health and lifestyle. People can often descend into prostitution.

“You have been convicted of the supply of heroin yet again.

“You have been convicted six times already. It looks like today’s conviction is an occupational hazard. You have an extensive criminal record.

“Your account of what happened has been rejected by this jury and I must say I’m not surprised. It was ridiculous.”

Defence counsel Lorenzo Alonzi said: “My client continues to deny the offence.”

The court heard that Campbell was convicted at Hamilton Sheriff Court in 2010, 2012 and 2015 of being concerned in the supply of heroin.

He also has three convictions for possession of drugs.

Prosecutor Liam Ewing said: “At the time of this offence the accused was on bail for a misuse of drugs offence which he subsequently pled guilty to.”