News / Jail could harm drug dealer, court told
A LERWICK man who was caught dealing hard drugs looks set to go to jail for a long time, despite serious health problems that could be made worse by prison life.
On Wednesday at Lerwick Sheriff Court Innes Irvine admitted being concerned in the supply of the Class A drugs cocaine and STP, as well as Class B amphetamine.
He was supplying the drugs from his home at 14 Twageos Road and the Lerwick Co-op car park between 23 February and 25 June this year.
The 46 year old also pled guilty to obstructing the police when he tried to drive his car away from two officers and then ran away from them on Lerwick’s Gilbertson Road on 22 February.
The court accepted his not guilty pleas to threatening police officers and dealing cannabis.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the Crown is hoping to forfeit a total of £10,585 in cash that was seized when police arrested him.
Sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentence until 17 October for background reports to be prepared. Remanding him in custody, he warned Irvine: “I have to say the likelihood is that you will be looking at a lengthy period in custody.”
However the sentence might be affected by a report from the dietician at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where Irvine receives six hours of dialysis three days a week having lost both his kidneys four years ago.
Defence agent Lee Qumsieh told the court that when he was 20 years old Irvine was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, a genetic condition he inherited from his mother.
His health deteriorated further when he had triple bypass surgery following a heart attack eight years ago, and suffered a stroke after receiving serious head injuries in June last year that left him unconscious for six weeks.
Qumsieh said the dietician at the ARI was concerned that the prison food he has been eating since his arrest in June this year is raising his potassium levels to an intolerable level.
“I understand the prison authorities are trying to take some steps to deal with it, but she is greatly concerned about the long term impact on his health if he continues on this diet,” he said.
“I think it would be of relevance to the sentencing decision your lordship takes.”
He added that since his stroke Irvine has had to work with health experts to learn how walk and talk again, and has been left with “head problems and memory issues”.
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