Drug awareness educator jailed over heroin stash

Friday 08 July 2022

A 39-year-old man, who had spoken in local schools about the dangers of taking drugs, has been sent to prison after police discovered a stash of heroin estimated to be worth up to £9,500 at his home.

James Harris was sentenced by the Royal Court to four years and nine months behind bars after pleading guilty to possession of the Class A drug with intent to supply and to having possession or control of criminal property which consisted of cash amounting to £3,520.

Harris has 53 previous convictions, of which 30 are drugs related. This includes a seven-year spell in prison in 2008 for his involvement in the trafficking of a kilo of cocaine.

Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam laid out the facts of the case before the Royal Court yesterday.

A search warrant was executed by police at Harris’ home in October 2021 where 6.31g of heroin was found. A drugs expert valued the heroin between £6,300 and £9,450.

During the search, police also found digital scales with heroin residue on, plastic wraps, and cash. Harris’ mobile phone was examined and showed evidence of drug dealing and seeking drugs. 

Pictured: The Royal Court was told Harris had a "tragic" upbringing, which contributed to his addiction to drugs.

Advocate Hallam said that cash totalling £3,520 was also seized by the police. £1,260 of this was found tucked into the waistband of Harris’ pyjama bottoms when he was arrested.

Upon his arrest, self-confessed drug addict Harris said: “It is what it is.”

Harris said that half of the cocaine was for personal consumption, and the other half was for a friend who was also a drug user and had paid him more than £1,000 as an advance payment for it.

Advocate Hallam explained that Harris was assessed as being at a high risk of reoffending due to his poor criminal record, lack of employment and ongoing substance abuse issues.

The Crown Advocate called for a five-and-a-half year sentence in prison.

Defending, Advocate Julia-Anne Dix said that her client acknowledged that he had committed “serious offences” but described Harris as having “exceptional” mitigating circumstances.

She said that Harris was not involved in importation or commercial supply of drugs but was merely an addict “at the bottom of the chain”. He “knew the occupational hazard of his addiction” which began when he was introduced to drugs at the age of 10.

He then tried heroin at the age of 15 and had built up such a tolerance that he was using 5g a week at the time of his arrest. 

Harris had candidly explained that there was a shortage of heroin on the island at this time, and he had therefore agreed with a fellow addict that if either of them sourced the drug that they would share it.  

He said that this was why his friend had given him an advance payment for half of the heroin in his possession.

Advocate Dix also stated that Harris had been cooperative with the police, immediately showing them where to find the drugs and money were when they searched his house. 

Advocate Dix also highlighted the circumstances of Harris’ “tragic” life, which led to him being addicted to drugs. 

She described a “chaotic life” which had been “blighted by drugs” since a young age. Between the ages of 18 and 24, Harris had several heroin overdoses and acknowledged that he was “lucky to be here”.

Harris had been clean between 2014 and 2018 but relapsed back into drug use after the death of his mother. He is also the daily carer of his unwell father.

Advocate Dix said that Harris’ life “serves as a stark lesson to anyone who wants to dabble in this world” of drugs.

In fact, Harris had tried to help others with his real-life experiences by undertaking several talks at schools across the island to deter teenagers from the world of drugs and educate them about the realities of his addiction. 

Advocate Dix also highlighted that Harris had not been in any criminal trouble since 2014 and had a wealth of excellent character references from people of importance.

She suggested a sentence of four years in prison. 

Deputy Bailiff Robert McRae, who was sitting alongside Jurats Jeremy Ramsden, Pamela Pitman and Robert Christensen, said he could not ignore Harris’ “substantial criminal record” and involvement in the “commercial supply” of drugs with a street value of over £6000.

However, the Deputy Bailiff said that Harris’ “work to educate teenagers on substances abuse is commendable and invaluable”.

Harris was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. 

Detective Constable Juliette Morris said: “We work hard to keep our streets free from drugs, and we’ll do our utmost to ensure those who deal in illegal drugs are put before the courts.”