No prison for drug user

Saturday 14 March 2020

Despite having a Class A drug on him, a man has been spared prison by Guernsey's courts because of progress he is showing in trying to reform himself.

Tony Gallienne, 34, was given 80 hours of community service for possession of MDMA and cannabis resin when he appeared before the magistrate this week.

He was caught after Guernsey Police attended his house when he and some friends were drinking heavily.

While there was no further action taken over the drinking, Gallienne was arrested and searched. That was when some of the drugs were found, which led to a search of the premises, and more illegal substances were uncovered.

All in all, he was charged with having 0.3g of ecstasy and 8.73 grams of cannabis resin. 

Pictured: Guernsey Police attended the house when everyone there was "heavily intoxicated". 

In interview, Gallienne admitted to being a regular drug user, including using injected substances. He told officers that he thought he would die soon because of a drug overdose , and thought rehab was not worth it. 

Gallienne has been in prison before, and was sentenced for growing cannabis in 2014, but Judge Graeme McKerrell said after having read the probation report, he thought it was clear Gallienne was making progress reforming himself.

"Clearly you haven't got a very good record, and you could therefore not complain if I sent you to prison again, but I am not sure in your case that would be good for you," Judge McKerrell said, "I am going to give you an opportunity to try and sort your life out. If you slow it you will go back inside." 

Overall, Gallienne was given 80 hours of community service in direct alternative to two months in prison. 

Pictured top: Gallienne was sentenced in Guernsey's Magistrate's Court for having MDMA and cannabis resin on him.