Judge laments cost to taxpayers of PIP claimant's crimes as he is sentenced for drugs offences
A judge has lamented the cost to the public of a man’s criminal activity.
Deputy District Judge Mark Hamill was speaking at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday where a former heroin addict admitted being in possession of methadone and cannabis.
The offences were detected on April 8, 2025, according to the charge sheet.
A defence barrister said Robert Campbell, who is aged 48 and has an address at Wakehurst Court to the south of the town centre in Ballymena, has "battled drug misuse throughout his life".
He is "no stranger to the courts", the judge was told.
He said the defendant is a single man on PIP and Universal Credit.
Judge Hamill asked: "So who pays for his drugs?"
When the barrister said "he does, himself", the judge said: "No, no, no: the answer to that is the taxpayer.
"Who pays for you to represent him? The taxpayer.
"Who pays for the prosecution? The taxpayer.
"Who pays for me to judge him? The taxpayer.
"Who pays for his accommodation if he is sent to prison? The taxpayer.”
The judge said the defendant previously had been handed suspended jail sentences and "the taxpayer had a narrow escape there".
A previous court was told Campbell is a former heroin addict.
The defence barrister said the defendant has another drug matter due to come before the court.
For the offences before the judge at Thursday's court hearing, the defendant was fined £150.