A WIDNES man who a court heard was ‘taken advantage’ of by drug dealers has avoided an immediate prison sentence for being concerned in the supply of crack and heroin.
Wilson Smith, 39, of Cooper Street, appeared at Warrington Crown Court on Tuesday, October 13.
Judge Nicholas Woodward handed the defendant a two-year prison sentence which will be suspended for the same period of time for a count of being concerned in the supply of crack and a like charge of heroin.
The judge also made a drugs testing and treatment order for 12 months, told Smith he will be supervised for two years and ordered him to pay £250 towards the prosecution costs.
At a brief hearing which was attended by prosecutor Mandy Nepal and Smith’s defence Claire Jones, the judge told the court that the case was last before him at the end of September and that the defendant had pleaded guilty to the counts and was ‘entitled to full credit’ for his pleas at the first opportunity.
Discussing the case with counsel, the judge added that the defendant was made to use his home for the supply of drugs.
Sentencing Smith, the judge told him that it was ‘clear’ that drug dealers had been ‘taking advantage of your drug dependency’ to supply the drugs.
He added: “The Crown accepts you were put under pressure and you were given a small quantity of drugs by the dealers.”
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/