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‘Convicted drug dealer’ found with amphetamine warned he will be jailed if back in court

Defence said his wife and child left him to go back to Poland which led to him 'seeking solace in illicit drugs'

Craigavon Magistrates Court

A convicted drug dealer who was caught with Class A drugs has been warned by a district judge that one more offence will see him put behind bars.

The district judge told the 24-year-old: “You told the probation officer that you did not think your offending did any harm. You support the criminal supply of this illicit trade which is harmful to the community as a whole.”

Jakub Kryszak, of Kirkside, Tandragee, appeared for sentencing on one count of possession of a Class A drug at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Prosecution outlined that on July 20, at around 12.45am, police were on patrol of Mahon Road, Portadown, when they spotted several males acting suspiciously.

Officers approached to speak to these males but observed that as the defendant was getting out of a vehicle he appeared to be concealing items down his trousers.

During a search of Kryszak, three wraps of amphetamine were located in a cigarette packet.

When interviewed, the defendant made full admissions to the offences confirming that the substance was amphetamine.

Defence barrister Conor Lunny stated: “I ask that he is given as much credit as possible for admissions at the scene although he was caught red-handed.

“He does have some relevant entries on his record from some five years ago.”

District Judge Paul Copeland commented: “Well he is a convicted drug dealer.”

Mr Lunny said: “In July and August, his wife and child left him to go back to Poland which led to him seeking solace in illicit drugs.

“He is fearful of the courts options, he is aware that this, along with any other court, will take a dim view of someone appearing for their second possession offence and having on a previous occasion there was a suggestion of dealing drugs.”

District Judge Copeland stated: “You are in trouble here at the moment and the court is considering a custodial sentence in this case.

“You told the probation officer that you did not think your offending did any harm. You support the criminal supply of this illicit trade which is harmful to the community as a whole.”

He added: “You have a conviction for being a drug dealer in the recent past and if you do this again you will be going to prison.”

Kryszak was sentenced to five months in prison suspended for two years and was ordered to pay a fine of £250, along with the offender’s levy of £15, within 12 weeks.

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