Drug user ‘unlucky’ to get caught says judge

Sefton magistrates has heard how a drug user was caught by chance by police looking for a man living next door to him.
Hayden Duncan, 33, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin at Sefton Magistrates Court.

Amanda York, prosecuting, said that while officers were looking for a wanted man they attended a flat on Sefton Street, Southport, where Duncan was staying.

The flat was littered with drug paraphernalia, she said, and Duncan admitted to having drugs in his jacket pocket.

Solicitor Darren Jones, representing Duncan, said: “It was simply a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The man they were looking for was next door.”

Magistrates fined Duncan £120 and ordered he pay £117 in costs and victim surcharge.
“That was a touch unlucky wasn’t it,” said Chairman Frank Dainty.