A man who was “coerced” into becoming a drug dealer’s “apprentice” has been jailed.
Ryan Bonella, 25, will spend almost 2 years in prison after admitting to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
His defence agent appealed for a non custodial sentence, submitting a letter from his current employer who said he “recognised something of his own past” in Bonella and arguing he had made positive steps in 2017 by staying out of trouble.
Bonella pled guilty in January after being caught in a nationwide police operation.
He was being taught by others higher up the chain in a drugs gang caught with almost £1 million pounds worth of class A drugs in raids – described during his trial as a “sorcerer’s apprentice”.
Along with other criminals, Bonella was placed under surveillance by police in December 2016.
When his house in Whitfield Rise was raided police found evidence he was involved in cutting high quality cocaine in to street deals and enforcing drug debts accrued by users.
At Tuesday’s sentencing, defence solicitor George Donnelly told Sheriff Alastair Brown Bonella himself had become embroiled in the drugs industry because of his own cocaine debts.
He said: “After being remanded in December 2016, he resolved to changing his life for the better.
“He reconciled with his partner and child and played the role of husband. He searched for employment.
“Apart from the matter referred to there has been no further offending on his part and he is devastated about being apart from his family.
“He did allow his premises to be used, he was not a ‘middle manager’. He has shown remorse and has taken steps to address his drug taking behaviour and has worked with the Respect programme.
“Given his restricted role described in the Crown narrative he was working under coercion.”
Sheriff Brown said: “It has been made clear, repeatedly, that involvement in anyway in the supply of class A drugs cannot be dealt with leniently.
“You should be very grateful to your agent, Mr Donnelly, I have listened to his description of you and it is my view you were more of a ‘go-for’.
“This story is a common one, many people involved in dealing are doing so because they have run up a drug debt.
“They cause untold harm and misery to many other people. Your role in this was a lesser one, this is not a lenient sentence but it is reduced.”
Bonella, of Whitfield Rise, was sentenced to 22 months in jail, backdated to January.
