'˜Silly boy' jailed for one year for drug supply

Gavin Paul Nixon, of Forest Park, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Cocaine, Cannabis and Diazepam.

He also admitted possessing Diazepam with intent to supply.

The offences were committed between January and March 2014.

Derry Crown Court heard police searched the 36-year-old’s home under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

They asked Nixon if there were any illegal drugs on the premises and he gave them a bag of tablets.

The court was told this bag contained 514 Diazepam tablets.

Nixon was arrested and cautioned, to which he replied ‘silly boy’.

The defendant’s mobile phone was also seized and this showed he was dealing Diazepam and Cocaine.

It also contained messages relating to the supply of Cannabis over a two month period.

During police interview, Nixon claimed he was supplying Diazepam to three or four friends.

He also claimed he had shared cannabis with another person.

However, the the text messages found on his phone suggest he was dealing to more than one person.

The court was told police view the 36-year-old as a ‘low level dealer with no trappings of wealth.

It was revealed Nixon has previous convictions for drugs offences, including one for importation of Diazepam in 2007.

The court also heard that the 36-year-old has a history of alcohol and substance abuse issues. He also has medical problems which ‘require regular attention’.

Passing sentence, Judge Philip Babington said ‘it is hard to see why someone with his problems and difficulties deals in drugs. He, of all people, should know the evils perpetrated by drugs’.

He added ‘this is a serious matter relating to the supply of three different drugs by someone involved in drug misuse and supply for a long time’.

The judge imposed a determinate sentence of one year, half of which will be spent in custody and half on licence.