Drug dealer to children avoids jail

Thursday 25 August 2016

An alcoholic and drug user who admitted selling cannabis to two 15-year-olds has been given a 140-hour community service order.

The Royal Court yesterday heard Robert Smart has struggled with alcohol and drug abuse for years. The 59-year-old admitted five counts of supplying a controlled drug, one count of offering a controlled drug and two counts of common assault.

But he was spared a jail term after revealing to police the name of his drug supplier.  

Smart was dealing with relatively small amounts of cannabis – 6.5 grams in total - and the two assaults were a “momentary loss of temper, for which he is remorseful,” according to Defending Advocate Jane Grace.

Ms Grace said: “He was buying cannabis for his own use as he suffers from osteoporosis and simply selling it for a small amount. There is no evidence he introduced the youths to cannabis.  

“He is a much troubled man and he suffered many difficulties in his youth. He is estranged from his family and this has all had a profound effect on his psyche. He is sad and lonely and his life has been marred by alcoholism and drug use.

“His last offence was three years ago and he has responded well in the past to non-custodial sentences. He is a hard worker and enjoys keeping his mind occupied.

“The defendant co-operated fully with the police and he has given the police the name of his supplier. That is evidence that he comes to court with genuine remorse.”

Commissioner Sir Michael Birt said the court took a “serious view” of adults supplying drugs to children.  

He said: “You have recently found a new job and accommodation and hopefully you are achieving some stability in your life. You do need to overcome your longstanding drug and alcohol habit.

“You have named the person who supplied you with cannabis and the police are convinced this is genuine information. Where people give assistance by naming suppliers the court will give a substantial discount to their punishment. This is to encourage people to give information about drug traffickers as part of the fight against drug use. Because of this, we will proceed with a non-custodial sentence.

“You will serve a total of 140 hours community service for the offences and given a probation order for 12 months.

“We hope not to see you before us again. If you do not do the community service and probation order you will be re-sentenced and then it is likely you will go to prison.”