Northern Ireland

Man who gave son drugs as a 'present' for his 21st birthday is jailed for eight months

A DERRY man who gave an "unedifying present" of drugs to his son on his 21st birthday was jailed for eight months today after admitting five drugs charges.

Noel Lavey (41) of Clon Elagh was jailed after he admitted five charges including being concerned in the supply of Fentanyl on November 9 2017.

He also admitted charges of being concerned in the supply of Oxycontin on November 28 and December 3 2017. He also pleaded guilty to possessing Diazepam with intent to supply on December 6 as well as a charge of possessing Diazepam on January 18 2018.

Derry Crown Court heard that police attended an address in Clon Elagh where Lavey was present with his son and another man.

Subsequent enquiries and an examination of Lavey's phone led police to conclude he was involved in the supply of drugs, primarily to his son.

Defence counsel Eoghan Devlin said that Lavey had a dependency on drugs which had led to issues in his life.

Passing sentence Judge Gemma Loughran said that there were around 50 messages relating to drugs, primarily to his son and noted that on his 21st birthday had supplied him with Fentanyl.

The judge said that in his pre-sentence report Lavey had expressed concerns about his son who is an addict but she added "this is the same son you supplied with drugs."

Noting the growing problem with drugs Judge Loughran said every effort must be made to deter drug use and told Lavey he had had "a paramilitary encounter" due to his involvement with drugs

Lavey was told he will also spend eight months on licensed supervision on his release.