Freed, Facebook drug dealer caught 4 times

Fury as man given year’s community payback order

‘Incredible he is not behind bars’

A DRUG dealer who took orders over Facebook yesterday avoided jail – despite it being his fourth conviction for supplying. Edward Hayes and his partner Katarzyna Bielec sold cannabis from their home to customers who contacted them by Facebook Messenger.

When the property in Montrose, Angus, was raided in March last year police found heroin worth £1,340, cannabis worth £525 and £613.50 in cash – some of the profits of their dealing.

An investigation found that Facebook messages were sent to Bielec’s account over a six-month period starting in October 2015 from prospective customers.

Fiscal depute Vicki Bell told Dundee Sheriff Court they included references to ‘weights, prices and smoke’.

She added: ‘There were also text messages on phones relating to the accused over that period. Both denied any knowledge of dealing activity when interviewed by police.’

Bielec, 35, and Hayes, 40, pleaded guilty on indictment to charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Defence solicitor Grant Bruce, for Hayes, said: ‘This is his fourth conviction for being concerned in the supply of drugs and he appreciates he is in a difficult position.’

The court earlier heard that Hayes became involved in selling drugs to fund his heroin habit. Sheriff George Way had warned him he faced a ‘significant custodial sentence’ if he could not address his heroin addiction.

But passing sentence yesterday, the sheriff said that though there had to be an ‘element of punishment and deterrence’ he had decided not to jail Hayes as he was engaging with treatment services.

Bielec was given a community payback order, with one year’s supervision and 150 hours of unpaid work.

Hayes received a community payback order with one year’s supervision, a drug treatment requirement and a restriction of liberty order confining him to his home on an electronic tag from 8pm until 7am every day for four months.

However, Tory North East MSP Liam said: ‘I think most people would consider it incredible that after four convictions for drug dealing, this man is not behind bars.

‘There is always a place for non-custodial sentences, but it seems clear that this person is a persistent offender.’

He added: ‘I think the public would rightly expect the courts to take a tougher line.’