Two-year sentence for Lerwick drug dealer Hassan
A notorious criminal who supplied illegal drugs to feed his heroin addiction has been jailed for two years at Lerwick Sheriff Court.
Ebrahim Hassan, 47, supplied drugs from two addresses in Lerwick between March and August last year.Police searched his home in Gilbertson Road and another house in North Road after receiving a tip-off. They found dealing quantities of the Class B drug amphetamine, along with a total of £3,360 in cash.
Also uncovered were a “tick-list”, electronic scales and a number of mobile phones. Officers carrying out the search discovered smaller quantities of heroin and cannabis resin.
That Hassan was facing jail was never really in question – Sheriff Graeme Napier warned him as much during his previous court appearance last month.
However, at yesterday’s court defence agent Gregor Kelly said background reports had shown possible non-custodial alternatives were available to the court. He said Hassan had supplied the drugs to feed his own heroin addiction.
Mr Kelly said: “He is sanguine enough to realise he is, in reality, facing a custodial sentence today. The report does explore non-custodial options, and . . . you could deal with him in such a way.”
He said Hassan had been using one gramme of diamorphine per day, but had since come off heroin and shown no positive tests since November last year.
“He has broken the cycle of addiction, but he appreciates there are others he may have supplied with Class B drugs who have not done likewise,” Mr Kelly said.
The court heard that Hassan had held down a semi-skilled job since May 2005. He had co-operated with police after his arrest and with social workers while background reports were being compiled.
“I would ask you to give him credit for his candour in the preparation of these reports,” Mr Kelly said. “In all circumstances he will accept whatever the court does with him today, but there are, of course, disposals open to you other than a custodial sentence.”
The sheriff told Hassan the charge was serious, even if it did relate to the supply of Class B drugs.
He said: “This is exacerbated by the quantities of drugs and money involved. As you accept it was a commercial venture even if to finance your, and your wife’s heroin addiction.”
Sheriff Napier said a previous case had shown a supplier found with drugs worth £1,000, and who had no significant convictions, failed to have a 12-month sentence overturned.
“In your case the quantity of drugs recovered was 100 times those recovered in that last case. “You were involved over an extended period and you have an extensive record, including custodial disposals.
“In your favour I have to take into account the steps you have taken to bring your heroin habit under control and the attitude you now express towards this type of offending, the openness you had to the matter with police and all the other information I have been given.”
