Man handed over heroin and 64 Xanax tablets after being collared by police in a South Tyneside pub

A South Tyneside man admitted having heroin and another drug on him when collared by police in a pub, a court heard.
South Tyneside Law Courts.South Tyneside Law Courts.
South Tyneside Law Courts.

Jobless Liam Edmunds, 26, of Biscop Terrace, Jarrow, immediately confessed, ‘I’ve got heroin in my bag, I’ll be honest’.

He went to the boozer after a report of a separate incident, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court was told.

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Police who were called to deal with that matter on Wednesday, January 15, located him soon afterwards in a nearby boozer.

He has now been hit with fines and court costs of £277 after pleading guilty to possession of illegal Class A heroin and to having 64 tablets of Class C Xanax.

Prosecutor Kirstie Devine said: “Police attend an address.

“They located him in a pub nearby. He tells them, ‘I’ve got heroin in my bag, I’ll be honest’.

“I would ask for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.”

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Val Bell, defending, said: “Mr Edmunds has pleaded guilty immediately to this matter.

“He’s a man who is a vulnerable adult. There’s a history of mental health issues.

“He did not have a drug problem at any time. He is, very sensibly, working with an adult recovery service.”

Addressing magistrates before sentencing, Edmunds said: “I’m really sorry for what’s happened.

“I got myself in a really bad place, but I’m doing well.”

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Edmunds was fined £120 for possession of heroin and £40 for possession of Xanax, and he must pay £85 court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Magistrates ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs recovered by police.

No further details about the alleged separate incident were revealed to the court.

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