Teenage drug dealer spared jail sentence

A TYRONE teenager who was involved in dealing cocaine and cannabis when he was 17-years-old has been spared going to jail because of his youth.

Martin Daly (18), of Old Eglish Road, Dungannon, received a two-year probation order when he was sentenced at Dungannon Crown Court.

In March last year police caught him in possession of a bag containing cannabis worth £2,500. His mobile phone was seized and it revealed he was involved in drug transactions over eight months, between July 18, 2020 and March 17, 2021.

During police interview, he denied being involved in the supply of drugs. But two months later, after police had analysed the phone messages and photographs, he admitted the offences.

Daly was a 17-year-old youth when he committed the offences and, had he admitted them when he was caught, he would have been dealt with in the Youth Court. However he turned 18 in May, before making admissions in the second interview.

He was previously subject of a three-month youth conference plan for possession of cannabis and driving without a licence or insurance and using a vehicle in dangerous condition.

Defence counsel, Fintan McAleer, asked the court to take into consideration his client’s age at the time of the offending.

He also stated the teenager pleaded guilty on arraignment at court and “at no stage denied all the offences outright”.

Mr McAleer added, “He was foolishly not forthcoming about what was on the mobile phone, but it was inevitable and he made full admissions in the second interview without prevarication. The phone report went to 25,000 pages and would have occupied a lot of time. He fell on his sword and didn’t put the court to that trouble. Frequently young people get foolishly involved in drugs as people up the chain are acutely aware they do not get detected.”

A pre-sentence report stated that the teenager has engaged in various courses and received help for drug addiction. He drives heavy machinery and the court was handed a reference from his employer (his uncle).

Imposing the Probation Order, Judge Irvine QC noted the teenager had severed ties with negative peers he associated with at the time he was dealing the drugs.

Judge Irvine said, “He has a promising future and has not offended since. It is seldom a sentence of three years is not imposed for these offences, particularly Class A drugs (cocaine). His youth is clearly a factor and should be taken into account when determining the sentence. In exceptional circumstances, consideration can be given to an alternative to custody.

“I do consider these are exceptional circumstances, primarily his youth and his clear desire not to indulge in illegal substances. He has shown clear and genuine remorse, coupled with steady employment. I am satisfied public concern can be met with the imposition of a non-custodial sentence.”

He told Daly he must comply with all the requirements of the Probation Order.

Judge Irvine warned him, “This is not an easy option. If you do not comply, you will be brought back before me and receive a custodial sentence.”