Dealer buys heroin with £5k benefits ...paid while he was in jail

A DRUG dealer was able to buy a large consignment of heroin the day he was freed from prison after the benefits agency deposited nearly £5,000 in his bank account while he was in jail.

John Madden discovered his windfall after being freed early on licence from a 22-month sentence for supplying heroin.

The 50-year-old arrived home from prison on January 18 to find he had been given £4,791.94 benefits payments.

At Perth Sheriff Court yesterday, Madden admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin at his mother’s home in Perth, and in the city’s High Street on April 14.

Fiscal depute Kirsten Thomson told the court: ‘The accused has 50 previous convictions for offences including theft, threat-

‘Police found diamorphine’

ening behaviour, offensive weapons and possession of diamorphine.

‘On April 14 police observed the accused and had reason to search him. From his jacket pocket a wrap containing brown powder was recovered. A further wrap, also containing diamorphine, was recovered and he was taken to the police station.’

A search was carried out of the home he shared with his mother and £1,490 cash was recovered, as was heroin valued at £1,390.

Solicitor Cliff Culley, defending, said: ‘He uses heroin himself. He has significant difficulty with his lower legs. He suffers ulcers and may lose one of his legs.

‘It causes him significant pain and he uses heroin as pain relief. In December, he received a back payment of benefits.

‘He used some of that money to purchase heroin for himself in bulk, gave some of the drugs to friends at cost price and accepts that he was concerned in the supply.

‘His mother didn’t know what was going on.’

Sheriff Fiona Tait jailed Madden for 30 months.