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News / Hefty sentence awaits Merseyside coke dealer

A FORMER soldier from Merseyside who admitted dealing high quality cocaine worth more than £33,000 at an address in rural Shetland is facing a lengthy jail sentence.

At Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday, James Campbell, of 42c Seabank Road, New Brighton, Wallasey, pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of almost 100 grammes of the Class A drug.

The dealing took place at an address in Hamnavoe, Burra as well as Lerwick’s Lower Blackhill industrial estate and elsewhere between 1 February and 12 June last year.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court the 97.29g found on Campbell were “exceptionally” pure at 61.5 per cent, almost five times as pure as cocaine usually bought and sold in Shetland, which measures 13 per cent.

The 30 year old also admitted obstructing and struggling violently with police officers when they tried to arrest him on 12 June at Lower Blackhill and committing the offence while on bail.

Sheriff Philip Mann said the offences were “extremely serious” and would likely result in a “significant” custodial sentence.

As Campbell had not been in prison before, a background report is being prepared ahead of sentencing on 13 April.

Bail was continued to allow him to “get his affairs in order” before going to jail.

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