Drug dealer jailed after his partner died from overdose
A Fife man, whose partner died from a drug overdose, has been jailed for heroin dealing.
Mark Stewart (52), of Blair Street, Kelty, appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
Last month his co-accused John Hodge (47), from Cowdenbeath, was jailed for three years after being convicted of drug dealing for the fifth time.
Stewart has now been jailed for 13-and-a-half months by Sheriff Charles MacNair, who had deferred sentence for a background report.
The offences came to light during investigations after the woman died from a suspected drugs overdose in Kelty.
When Stewart, partner of the deceased woman, and Hodge, were taken to Dunfermline police station they were both found to be in possession of bags of heroin.
They both admitted that on 6th May last year at Dunfermline police station, they were concerned in the supplying of diamorphine.
Depute fiscal Sarah Lumsden previously told the court that the incident began when police responded to a call about a woman’s death at a property in Blair Street.
As part of the investigation, the property was sealed off and both Hodge and Stewart were taken to Dunfermline police station to help with inquiries.
Officers became concerned about the drowsy condition of both men and an ambulance was called.
Hodge was found to have a 26g bag of heroin with a street value of £1050 to £1800.
Stewart was then seen with a bulge under his jumper which turned out to be an 18.76g bag of heroin with a street value of £700 to £1870.
The two were taken to the Victoria Hospital and then into police custody.
When interviewed, Stewart said his girlfriend had been a drug addict but that he just “dabbled”.
Defence solicitor Ian Beatson said, “Mr Stewart was in a relationship and his partner was a heroin addict. She unfortunately took an overdose of heroin which resulted in her death.
“He had been dabbling with heroin but was not an addict. He was an alcoholic and had a drink problem for a number of years.”
He added that at the time of the offence his client had been drinking for a number of days and vaguely remembers being handed a package by the co-accused.
Sheriff MacNair said that although Stewart played a lesser role in the crime than Hodge, he had still committed a very serious offence and so only a jail term was an appropriate sentence.
