Drug addict asks to go to jail
Last updated: 22/02/2010 06:30:00
A drug addict got his wish to be sent to jail - after his solicitor told Norwich magistrates that freeing him would cause him to get back on heroin with his friends.
Solicitor Debbie Reynolds said that her client Andrew Gallant, 35, was homeless and was likely to start using heroin again if he crashed at the homes of friends who were all drug-users.
Gallant was handed two jail terms of 16 weeks to run concurrently, after appearing for sentencing at Norwich Magistrates' Court.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to stealing an electric razor and fragrances worth £136 from Boots in Norwich, and receiving stolen goods, a bus pass, belonging to Andrew Hoeg, both on February 4.
Sattan Al Mugheiry, prosecuting, said the bus pass, belonging to someone Gallant did not know, was found in his possession.
He said: “He was given the bus pass and made no attempt to return it. He was on police bail when these offences were committed.”
Debbie Reynolds, mitigating, said Gallant, previously of Heathgate, Norwich, was released from custody on November 30 last year and committed the offences because he had no money for food, as he had not sorted out his benefit claims.
She said: “All his previous convictions are due to his 10 years of heroin abuse. Prior to his addiction he had passed GCSEs at school, had a degree, and had run a business.
“But following a relationship breakdown his life had spiralled downwards. His accommodation in Heathgate is now unavailable so he's homeless.
“He's motivated and keen and wants to get free of his heroin addiction. But he's homeless and has nowhere to go, other than crash at friends' houses that are all drug-users. I am therefore going against the recommendations in the pre-sentence report, and asking for you to impose a short custodial sentence.”
Martin Dupee, chairman of the bench, told Gallant: “I think it's commendable that you have taken such a pragmatic approach, and realise what is likely to happen if you are not sent to jail.”
No order for costs was made.