Heroin dealer told to ‘prepare for the inevitable’

A man has been warned to “prepare for the inevitable” after admitting supplying heroin.

Alexander Goodlad, 65, of North Lochside in Lerwick was told to expect a prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to supplying the Class A drug between 15th and 29th July.

The court heard police searched Goodlad’s home after receiving intelligence he was dealing.

The search uncovered 17 grammes of heroin with a maximum potential value of £1,700.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said Goodlad, while being interviewed by police officers, denied that he was dealing and even denied being a user of heroin, despite previous drug-related convictions.

He added mobile phones that were recovered and “interrogated” showed Goodlad was someone selling to a number of individuals.

Sheriff Philip Mann ordered background reports be compiled.

But he added a custodial sentence was the most likely outcome to the case.

“This is a very, very serious offence. I might as well be open and honest with you right now. It will almost certainly result in a custodial sentence, unless there is something very exceptional said to me or disclosed in a social enquiry report.”

Goodlad will next appear in court on 26th June. Releasing him on bail in the meantime the sheriff said: “It will give you an opportunity to prepare for the inevitable.”