Caught in the act

Unemployed Anthony Gallagher, 31, of Keyneston Road, Nythe, pleaded guilty to supplying the class A drug heroin and was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service by Swindon Magistrates Court.

Although he did not personally hand over any drugs, he could be charged with supplying them because he drove the car from which they were sold.

The police operation which led to his arrest took place following information phoned through to the Swindon Drugs Hotline, a police initiative backed by the Evening Advertiser which aims to track down drug pushers.

The court heard that Gallagher was spotted driving the car of an alleged drugs dealer by officers taking part in Operation Defy.

Gallagher was identified in April as part of a wide ranging police drugs operation. That resulted in the arrest of 15 people in a coordinated series of dawn raids earlier this month.

Prosecutor Guy Knell said: "The operation produced a motley collection of people, people who were unconnected with each other. Some of them were involved in the supply of drugs and others were on the periphery.

"As far as Anthony Gallagher is concerned, he falls into the latter category."

In Gallagher's case, police officers called telephone number used by drug users to obtain supplies. An undercover officer, posing as a customer, arranged a meeting saying he wanted to buy some drugs.

At the meeting, Gallagher was seen driving a dark VW polo, with another man in the front passenger seat.

Mr Knell said: "The officer bought two bags containing what was later confirmed to be a total of 213 milligrams of 40 per cent pure heroin from the man in the passenger seat, who is now subject to court proceedings."

He explained that Gallagher's role was only to act as a driver.

Gallagher was arrested as part of a coordinated police swoop on July 2.

His solicitor, Con Fernandes, told the court: "If there was ever a case of someone being in the wrong place at the wrong time, this is it.

"I hope that my client gets credit for his full and frank admission to the police and his early guilty plea.

"Mr Gallagher is very much at the bottom of the scale and is a person of previous good character.

"He did not realise that the person he was driving about was dealing in drugs.

"If he goes into custody, he may be forced to be with people who would prey upon him."

Chairman of the bench, Roger Williams, told Gallagher: "You are lucky to have escaped a custodial sentence for such a serious crime. We have taken into account your guilty plea and your previous good character."

In addition to the community service order, Gallagher was ordered to pay £118 in prosecution costs at £10 per week.

N The Evening Advertiser has thrown its weight behind the crackdown on drugs by launching the confidential Swindon Drugs Hotline.

Intelligence from the line is providing vital information to the police, helping them track down drug pushers.

An officer manning the line said today that members of the public had drawn their attention to several new leads.

The Swindon Drugs hotline is a 24-hour service. Calls are free and confidential. During office hours, your call will be answered by an officer at Swindon Police Station, while at all other times an answer phone will allow callers to leave details. Leave as much information about the suspected dealer as possible.

Call (01793) 528800.