Bonnybridge dealer sold heroin to man who then died of 'drug intoxication'

Police investigations carried out following the man’s death confirmed David Johnstone, 49, had sold the drugs to him – messages on a mobile phone and CCTV footage left no doubt about it.

The heroin was said to be just one of the drugs which led to the man’s death and Johnstone was not charged with causing this.

He appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday having pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs in Bridge Street and Laurelbank Avenue, Bonnybridge, on April 15 last year.

The procurator fiscal depute said: “Police were contacted in relation to a drugs death in the Falkirk area. The cause of death was multi-drug intoxication and one of the substances found in the deceased’s system was heroin.

"However, this was not the only drug which contributed to the cause of death.”

Police carried out an investigation following the death and found evidence of Johnstone selling heroin to the man shortly before he died.

"On investigating the deceased mobile phone it became apparent the accused had sold heroin to the deceased on April 15 – this was confirmed by a mobile phone conversation between the accused and the deceased.

"A meeting up of the two of them was also captured on CCTV when they met up at 9am on April 15 to conduct the supply of heroin.”

Mark Fallon, defence solicitor, said Johnstone had no previous convictions for drugs offences.

Sheriff Craig Harris said: “Dealing drugs is a serious matter. You have many previous convictions, although none of them have been for drugs. This appears to have been a one off involvement in this area.

"Most of your previous convictions ended in 2013. What you are charged with is heroin supply – you are not charged with causing the death of this individual. The charge is purely to do with supplying heroin.”

Johnstone, 12 Main Street, Bonnybridge, was placed on a community payback order with the condition he completes 190 hours of unpaid work in 12 months.