a day ago
Man who described himself as Belfast city's ‘number one coke vendor' spared jail again
Judge Sandra Crawford told Kieran Johnston that she was deferring sentencing until December 19 this year to allow him to continue his involvement in training courses and drug addiction intervention programmes.
A south Belfast man who described himself as the city's 'No 1 Coke Vendor' has been spared prison for a second time.
Judge Sandra Crawford told Kieran Johnston that she was deferring sentencing until December 19 this year to allow him to continue his involvement in training courses and drug addiction intervention programmes.
In April this year, the judge postponed sentencing until today to see what progress the 21-year-old has made with his drug addiction issues.
Johnston, of Hatfield Street off the Ormeau Road, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.
He further admitted offering to supply both cocaine and cannabis and possessing criminal property totalling £9,867.
Belfast Crown Court heard that on June 23, 2023, police carried out a search of Johnston's home and found 30g of cocaine in self-sealed bags along with a bag containing 43 ecstasy tablets.
A bag containing 15g of benzocaine, a mixing agent used to adulterate cocaine, was also seized.
The search also netted drug-related paraphernalia including weighing scales, a grinder, £7,155 in cash was seized along with luxury items of watches, trainers and clothing valued at around £2,700.
'Police seized the defendant's mobile phone and found 25 WhatsApp messages of him offering to sell cocaine and cannabis under the banner headline of 'No 1 Coke Vendor Belfast',' Mr McNeill said.
'The drugs, money and high-value goods were stored in Johnston's house and he was running his criminal operation from his bedroom, supplying street-level deals of drugs.'
The court was told that the prosecution accepted that because of his young age, Johnston was likely to have been 'acting on behalf of a wider organised crime group'.
During police interviews, Johnston made the case that he had been 'coerced' into the offending after building up a personal drug debt of several thousand pounds.
In a pre-sentence report, Johnston told a probation officer: 'I knew what I was doing was wrong.'
Kieran Johnston (Credit: Alan Lewis)
News in 90 Seconds - June 28th
At the sentencing hearing today, Judge Crawford said Johnston is currently working at a part-time job.
'He has engaged positively with Belfast Works Connect and has successfully completed a course in construction skills,' she noted.
'He is embarking on further programmes with this organisation. He has sought a referral for drug intervention and has been referred to Inspire Addiction Services and this is much-needed work and his issues with drug taking are ongoing.'
Judge Crawford said Johnston was on a waiting list for that work and the court was told he has his first appointment with Inspire Addiction Services next week.
'It is not without a certain degree of hesitation that I am persuaded that the appropriate course, rather than impose an immediate sentence of imprisonment, is to defer sentencing for six months,' she added.
'I consider that there is meaningful evidence before me to justify such a deferral.'
As part of the deferral, Johnston must attend all appointments and engage fully in any drug relapse intervention programmes.
He is required to engage with all training courses and opportunities deemed appropriate for him by Belfast Works Connect.
The defendant was told he must return to court later this year and be able to show he has kept away from all trouble and further offending and warned not to consume any alcohol or drugs other than those prescribed by his medical advisers.
Judge Crawford made it clear she would require an up-to-date pre-sentence report along with a drug test by December's hearing.
She said if the defendant can prove that he has complied with all of the conditions of the deferral, she would look at a disposal other than immediate custody.
Judge Crawford added: 'This is a matter that is in the defendant's hands.
'If he takes the opportunity that has been afforded to him he will be successful in avoiding a custodial sentence.
'If he doesn't, he will face prison.'
