Bonnybridge man caught dealing heroin jailed after 72nd criminal conviction

Steven Templeman (48) was arrested after police gained information he was selling the class A narcotic outside the Carron Works bar in Falkirk’s Bank Street.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Templeman confessed to police that he was selling dope to pay off debts he ran up with other dealers.

Officers recovered heroin with a total street value of £1605 from him and his house in Bonnybridge’s Woodburn Crescent, where he told police to go to.

The story emerged after Templeman, a prisoner of HMP Low Moss in Bishopbriggs, Dunbartonshire, pleaded guilty to being involved in the supply of drugs on November 29, 2019.

This is Templeman’s fourth conviction for drugs offences. The law states that people with three class A drugs trafficking convictions face a minimum sentence of seven years. However, he was given a discount for pleading guilty at an early stage.

Prosecution lawyer David Dickson told judge Lord Armstrong that Templeman co-operated with police following his arrest.

Mr Dickson added: “This is the accused’s 72nd conviction and fourth for a contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

“Around 1.05pm police officers received information that the accused was dealing outside the Wetherspoon’s in Bank Street, Falkirk.

“The accused was interviewed under caution and accepted he had received the wraps made up in dealer amounts and owed money to the person who had supplied the drugs to him.”

Defence advocate Lili Prais told the court that his client expressed remorse for his actions.

She added: “He was fully co-operative with the police. He allowed them to search his property.”

Lord Armstrong jailed Templeman for five years and 219 days.

He added: “I have listened to what has been said on your behalf by Ms Prais and I have taken these submissions into account in passing sentence.”