Bainsford dealer jailed for six years and nine months following his eighth conviction for supplying illegal class A drugs

Barry Newman,38, from Bainsford, was convicted last year of being involved in supplying heroin and prosecutors took him to the high court where he could receive a seven year term.

However, he was told by judge Lord Harrower at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday he would only be going to prison for six years and nine months.

Newman was caught after information from members of the public led officers to execute a warrant at an address on Symington Drive on Friday, February 26, 2021 and heroin with a street value of £5300 was recovered.

Sergeant Craig Reid, Falkirk Community Policing Team, said: “Tackling drug dealers and reducing the harm caused by drug supply is a priority for us. These people target vulnerable members of the community and the results can be devastating.

“This case shows that we will act on information provided by the local community and take robust action. We are committed to reducing the harm caused by drug supply.

“If you have any information regarding drug dealing in your area you can report this to your local Community Policing Team by calling 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

At an earlier appearance at the High Court in Livingston, it was stated police raided Newman’s flat after becoming aware of his involvement in the drugs trade and subsequently found a plastic bag full of heroin down the waistband of his trousers.

Prosecutor Wojciech Jajdelski, told the court the November 26, 2021 raid resulted in just under 200 grams of heroin being recovered, along with measuring scales and plastic bags, as well as mobile phones containing drug deal messages.

It was stated Newman had 63 previous criminal convictions – including seven for drug dealing.

On Wednesday, Charles Ferguson, defence solicitor, told the court that Newman had becoming addicted to drugs as a consequence of suffering physical abuse as a child.

He said a psychologist had concluded this “sadistic” abuse suffered by Newman had affected his decision making and ability to live life as a mature adult.

Mr Ferguson urged Lord Harrower to take Newman’s “trauma” into account when passing sentence.

He added: “His development has been so affected by this abuse. There is a large body of scientific evidence available to support the impact that trauma has on people in later life.

“He has never received counselling for his trauma and it has affected his development.”

Passing sentence on Wednesday, Lord Harrower told Newman: “You are not a young man anymore. You are the father of two young girls and you are involved in a trade which has already destroyed the lives of your family.

“There is nothing that has been put before me that persuades me that there is exceptional circumstances applying in this case which allows me not to impose a seven year sentence.

“However, in light of your plea, I am prepared to discount your sentence.”