A DRUG dealer who was given the chance to avoid an immediate prison sentence if he managed to stay out of trouble for six months has passed his first test.

Stuart Armstrong was caught after he sold heroin to an undercover police officer in November 2019 and was warned he was facing two-three years in prison.

The 36-year-old’s co-defendant was dealt with last year but he was given the opportunity to improve his mitigation by The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Paul Watson QC deferred passing sentence for six months.

On his return to Teesside Crown Court Armstrong was praised for his actions but was warned that he wasn’t 'out of the woods yet’.

Judge Watson said: “I took a chance on you last October, largely because of the sentences that I passed on the other defendants, because of compelling mitigating factors, they were more lenient than they might have been.

“That left me with a dilemma as to what I could do with you, the easy course would have been to say that that mitigation doesn’t apply to you and to give you the appropriate sentence.

“Even dealing at this low level and your absence of drug offences, albeit clear that you have a longstanding drug habit, it was easy to see how a sentence of three years couldn’t have been faulted but I gave you a chance.

“I’m pleased to read in your pre-sentence report that you have kept away from those people with whom you were associating beforehand. You are taking your weekly methadone prescription without any other apparent drug use, you kept out of trouble and you are talking real positive steps to deal with your heroin habit.”

Previously the judge had sentenced Christopher Healey, 38, of Kinbrace Road, Hartlepool, to an 18-month suspended sentence after he admitted three counts of supplying a class A drug.

Armstrong, of Helmsley Street, Hartlepool, was sentenced 21 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered to attend 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and take part in a drug rehabilitation programme for up to a year.

“I can’t avoid a prison sentence, that is quite unthinkable for dealing in Class A drugs, but what I can do is suspend it,” the judge added.

“This is going to require a lot more commitment from you, you're not out of the woods yet. If you commit any further offences in the next two years, particularly to do with drugs, then you will start with the 21 months that I am imposing today.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054