Dealer jailed for more than five years
A STRANRAER drug addict who admitted dealing drugs to feed her £2,250 a month habit was given a lengthy jail sentence this week at the town's sheriff court.
A STRANRAER drug addict who admitted dealing drugs to feed her 2,250 a month habit was given a lengthy jail sentence this week at the town's sheriff court.
Lorraine Johnston will serve a sentence of five years and seven months in prison.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that the 39-year-old had sold heroin with a street value of 10,800 between March 23rd and September 2nd, last year.
After suspicions were raised about Johnston's behaviour Strathclyde Police mounted a surveillance operation at her house at 24D Dalrymple Street in Stranraer and monitored the numerous visitors who called there.
Prosecutor Hugh Irwin told the court that sometime in 2009 police in Stranraer had received information that she was involved in supplying heroin.
A search of Johnston's home address revealed drug paraphenalia including scales and cling-film, but no drugs or money was recovered.
However when questioned by police officers Johnston admitted supplying nine ounces of heroin and said it was to get money to feed her drug habit.
Mr Irwin added: "She sold the heroin to eight other drug users to finance her own habit."
Johnston, who has two previous drug convictions, appeared at the High Court under the 'three strikes' rule.
Under this rule she was facing a seven-year sentence but defence counsel Frances Connor argued successfully that, given Johnston's early plea, and the fact she suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and bulimia, Johnston should be given a reduced sentence.
Ms Connor said that Johnston had become a drug addict at the age of 30 after her marriage collapsed.
Johnston had then shared a house with a drug user who had subsequently introduced her to heroin.
The advocate added: "She was not living a lavish lifestyle. No drugs or money was ever found at her home address.
"These activities were to get her money to buy her next fix."
Judge Lord Turnbull told Johnston: "Given your record of previous offending the statutory requirement on me is to pass a sentence of no less than seven years.
He added that it was only in the special circumstances outlined that he could see the way to impose a lesser sentence on Johnstone.
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Weather for Newton Stewart
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 8 C to 16 C
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