Dealer with drug issues that 'ruined his life' sent to prison

Andrew Bell (50) had eight previous convictions on 28 offences and had been convicted for supplying heroin a number of times.

He was before Sheffield Crown Court again on Friday for three more offences of drug dealing in Rotherham.

Mr Andrew Bailey, mitigating, admitted Bell, of no fixed abode, had a “bad record”.

He said: “He has had drug issues for many, many years.

“It’s ruined his life.

“He had a relationship that was promising but he returned to drugs.”

But Mr Bailey said Bell was “thinking more clearly now”, adding: “He’s turning too old now to return to courts for selling drugs.”

Recorder Mark Cooper said police officers found crack cocaine and cash on Bell in November last year.

On September 8 this year, Recorder Cooper added, Bell had been searched again and a police officer had found the same drugs on him.

Just a day later, police officers had found Bell with heroin again.

Recorder Cooper described Bell’s role in drug dealing as “significant”, telling the defendant: “You were aware of and understood what you were doing.” 

He sentenced Bell to 2045 days — five years and seven months — after admitting possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply.