CLIFF PLUNGE TEEN’S DEALER UNCLE JAILED
ANGUISH TRAGIC FAMILY’S NEW BLOW Ex-jailbird gets seven years after being caught with £56,000 of heroin
THE uncle of cliff fall victim Ralph Smith was jailed for seven years today after returning to the heroin trade following his early release from prison.
Dennis Duffy was caught with a haul of the Class A drug worth more than £56,000.
He had been freed early from a previous jail term after he was convicted of supplying diazepam.
Duffy, 45, of Drumlanrig Drive, Dundee, has other trafficking convictions.
He claimed the tragedy of Ralph had had a serious effect on him and he was now determined to change.
It is thought Ralph, who is autistic, might have fallen on Saturday after being startled by strong winds.
Ralph’s aunt Julie McCash was killed on Sunday alongside cousin David Sorrie, 32, as the pair were supporting relatives over his disappearance.
A man has appeared in court charged with their murders.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard yesterday that Duffy was caught after police armed with a search warrant turned up at a house in Mains Loan, Dundee, on December 2 last year.
Alex Prentice QC, prosecuting, said Duffy was in the living room of the property and £583 was found in his shorts pockets.
More than quarter of a kilo of heroin, some of it of a high purity, was recovered during the raid, along with cutting agents and tablets.
Duffy had left a thumb print on a bag containing the largest quantity of heroin found in the search.
Mr Prentice said: “In this case, 311g of heroin was recovered in various packages.” Defence counsel Ronnie Renucci told the court: “I understand he is going to try to ensure that he comes out and will receive professional help and guidance.”
Judge John Morris QC told Duffy he would have jailed him for 10 years if he had been convicted after a trial.
Two knifed to death at cliff plunge boy family vigil
I understand he is going to try and receive professional help and guidance ALEX PRENTICE QC