County Derry man jailed for four months for being concerned in supply of drugs
The dad-to-be from Kilrea stated that he had been selling drugs to pay for his own habit, the court heard
A County Derry man has been jailed after being found guilty of a number of offences, including being concerned in the supply of drugs.
Steven Montgomery, of Ardbann Avenue in Kilrea, appeared before Limavady Magistrates Court this morning charged with being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs, namely cannabis on dates between August 28 2022 and September 17 2022.
The 38 year-old was also charged with being concerned in the supply of Class C drugs, namely Pregabalin, on dates between August 28 2022 and September 19 2022.
Montgomery was further charged with possession of Class B drugs, namely cannabis, and posession of Class C drugs, namely Pregabalin and Alprazolam.
These offences were committed on September 17 2022.
The court heard that the offences were detected when police carried out a search of Montgomery's home on September 17 2022.
During the search, a number of items were seized, including drugs.
A triage of Montgomery's mobile phone was carried out and text messages on the device indicated that he was involved in the supply of drugs.
During interview, Montgomery admitted that he used drugs himself and stated that he also sold them to pay for his own habits.
A barrister told the court that the defendant has a 'longstanding addiction issue since 2013'.
He explained that Montgomery and some friends would purchase the drugs between them and split them up.
He added that his client's partner is due to give birth to their child in the coming days.
District Judge Peter King noted that Montgomery has 41 previous convictions, a quarter of these drug related.
He said that a pre-sentence report, which was before the court, was 'helpful' in terms of explaining his background however he said the defendant has been 'on the fringes of this offending for years'.
Judge King told Montgomery that he could not look past the fact that he was in court on charges of supplying drugs before adding that immediate custody was 'inevitable'.
Montgomery was sentenced to four months in prison.