Jailed Derry drug dealer ‘not sophisticated but above street level’
A man has been jailed at Derry Crown Court for drug and driving offences after his drug dealing was described as ‘not sophisticated but above street dealing level’.
Dean James Hutton (31) of Ebrington Oaks in Derry admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs on dates between February 4, 2024 and August 6 2024.
He also admitted possessing class A drugs on August 5, 2024.
Hutton also admitted driving while disqualified, taking and driving away a vehicle and having no insurance on August 5, 2024.
The court heard that Hutton's drug dealing was above street dealer level and that he had 'a customer chain'.
The court heard that at 10pm on August 5, 2024 a car was observed crossing white lines in Strathfoyle.
Checks showed the car was registered to a woman and when it was stopped Hutton had £80 in cash on him and a quantity of class A drugs.
A quantity of bicarbonate of soda was also found believed to be used along with the class A.
As regards the car it belonged to a former partner of Hutton's and she had not given permission for him to drive it.
He was driving while disqualified and without insurance.
Hutton was found to be 'sourcing and supplying' drugs to a number of customers.
Judge Roseanne McCormick KC said that Hutton had 26 previous convictions, 19 of them drug-related.
She said he had been supplying a number of customers.
Hutton was jailed for a total of 26 months with half to be served in custody and half on licence.
He was disqualified from driving for two years and fined £250.