A FATHER-of-two who took one of his youngsters on a drugs deal wept in court today as he was jailed for a year.
Judge Patricia Smyth told 34-year-old Brian Hogarth, who has relevant previous convictions, the fact he had one of his children with him in a pram, was "utterly appalling".
Hogarth, from Magheralave Meadows in Lisburn, Co Antrim, who wept in the dock of Belfast Crown Court throughout the short sentencing hearing, admitted possessing both cocaine and cannabis and offering and supplying and being concerned in the supply of cannabis in December 2015.
Judge Smyth said while it was accepted Hogarth was entitled to "substantial credit" for his guilty pleas, she was "satisfied there was no basis for a non-custodial sentence in this case", adding while this would be "hard for your family, but that is the consequence of your criminality".
Earlier the judge told Hogarth that "this was a commercial operation for profit and there is no doubt about that", despite his claims that he was involved only in drug-dealing between three or four friends, as text messages on his mobile "revealed the true extent of drug dealing".
It was also clear that when caught Hogarth had lied when he attempted to say that the drugs had just been sold to him.
In mitigation, said Judge Smyth, were his guilty pleas and the fact he was a father of two, with his wife expecting their third child.
Hogarth was told he will serve a year in jail, and following his release, will be subject to a 12 month licence which could see him returned to prison if he re-offends.
