Ex-social worker jailed for dealing heroin on Wirral streets

A FORMER social worker was jailed for dealing heroin on the streets. Liverpool crown court heard James Dixon, 49, has been an addict for the past 30 years.

Despite his habit the dad had successfully worked as a care worker for social services, supporting children with learning difficulties and then elderly people in the 1980s and 1990s.

Judge John Phipps said: “You have been addicted to drugs since you were 19.

“But you have also been able to work with social services doing a worthwhile job dealing with children with learning difficulties and the elderly.”

But the judge jailed Dixon for three years after he was caught supplying class A drugs on the streets on a commercial level.

Kim Egerton, prosecuting, told how Dixon was stopped by police in Borough Road, Seacombe, on December 7.

When officers searched him they found 27 £10 heroin deals, as well as £140 in cash and a mobile phone with messages requesting drugs.

Judge Phipps said: “It really does not need me to underline the curse that class A drugs are in our society.

“They cause untold misery to users, to people effected by the crime committed by users.

“The court has to do what they can to deal with this rising tide of misery.”

Neil Gunn, defending, told the court Dixon, of Albemarle Road, Wallasey, had resorted to selling the drugs to fund his own habit.

Dixon, who admitted possession with intent to supply, had lost his job in social services after developing emphysema.

Judge Phipps “You certainly have let your family down, not only by committing these offences but by continuing your addiction to class A drugs while they were growing up and you were supposed to be caring for them.”

Dixon was supported by two people in the public gallery. One young woman wiped away tears as he was led down.