Drug dealer found ‘flat out on back’ by library
A HEROIN user turned to dealing the drug in order to make up for the loss of cash he had been earning by begging on the streets, a court has heard.
But his dealing career was cut short when he was seen lying “flat out on his back” outside his local library by concerned residents, who called the police.
Swansea Crown Court heard Shane David Gundy – who also goes by the names Dwain Smith and Dwain Williamson – had £1,300 of heroin on him, but he told officers it was for his own use as he took seven grams a night to help him sleep.
Sophie Hill, prosecuting, said the 37-year-old was arrested on the evening of June 15 this year after members of the public reported a male who was “flat out on his back” outside Penlan Library in Swansea.
Officers had trouble rousing the sleeping man, and when he did come round he was found to be “very intoxicated” and unable to tell officers his name. The court heard he was searched, and police found foil wraps containing 13 grams of heroin – with a street value of £1,300 – along with scales, and a mobile phone containing texts indicative of dealing.
The following day Gundy was interviewed and said he could not remember the events of the previous day due to the large amount of Valium he had taken. But he denied being involved in dealing, saying he had been “lucky” enough to be given the heroin, and it was for his person use - he told officers he took seven grams a night “for a bedtime sleep”.
Gundy, of Heol Emrys, Penlan, Swansea, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply when he appeared in the dock via videolink.
He court heard he has 14 previous convictions on his record for begging and theft matters, possession of heroin, and the cultivation of cannabis.
Andrew Evans, for Gundy, said the defendant had been addicted to Class A drugs for “many, many years”, but since being remanded at HMP Swansea had been prescribed a heroin substitute. He said, as was evident from his client’s antecedent record, he had funded his habit through begging and low-level acquisitive thefts, but the current pandemic situation meant fewer people on the streets giving him money so he had been forced to turn to supplying other users in the city.
Judge Paul Thomas QC said he was “heartened” to hear the defendant was getting help with his addiction.
Giving the defendant a 25% discount for his guilty plea, the judge sentenced him to 33 months – Gundy will serve half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.