Dealer’ s ‘wake-up call’ after baby dies

Adrug-dealing dad who wanted to make “easy” money has been jailed after traces of cocaine and cannabis were found on his baby daughter’s dummies.

Shaun O’Driscoll, 29, was caught with cannabis worth up to £55,000, as well as cannabis resin and cocaine when tragedy struck and his daughter was rushed to hospital.

Heartbreakingly, and unrelated to the case, the baby girl passed away and it was during the ensuing police investigation that officers found O’Driscoll’s Rosehill Drive flat littered with drugs.

Two of the baby’s dummies were forensically examined and found to have traces of cannabis on them. One also showed traces of cocaine.

O’Driscoll, now of Bronie Crescent, Pitmedden, had previously pled guilty to child neglect and to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and cocaine.

A detailed narrative of the offences, which were committed on April 26 last year, had been given to the court on a previous occasion.

Sentence had been deferred for reports and he appeared back in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court to learn his fate.

Defence agent Laura Gracie told the court: “There’s a lot of reference in the report to adverse childhood experiences suffered by Mr O’Driscoll. I do not intend to rehearse these.”

Ms Gracie said that O’Driscoll had also explained to social workers how he became involved in dealing drugs.

She said that the incident involving his daughter had been a “wake-up call”, adding: “There is never a day that goes past that he does not consider it.”

Ms Gracie went on: “Mr O’Driscoll started using drugs at the age of 13. The whole thing has stemmed from there.

“He struggled to sustain the drugs he was using.

“He made reference to it being easier money or a simpler way to make cash.

“Once he became involved he found it very difficult to break the cycle.

“When someone has become involved, there then becomes pressure on them to continue that.”

The solicitor advised that the money found at his address belonged to a third party and that O’Driscoll was looking after it.

She added that he had since distanced himeslf from his previous associates.

Sheriff Andrew Miller told O’Driscoll: “It’s clear you were involved in selling drugs because, according to what you told the social worker, that appeared to be an easy way to make money.

“There’s no suggestion about you being threatened or coerced into that type of activity.”

The sheriff highlighted that O’Driscoll also had two previous convictions for being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Dealing with all matters together, Sheriff Miller imposed a 20-month prison sentence.

He also granted a crown motion for forfeiture of the £16,000 in cash that was found at O’Driscoll’s address.

EASY MONEY: Shaun O’Driscoll was jailed for 20 months for dealing in cannabis and cocaine.