Legal High shopkeepers jailed
Liston Pacitti and Paul Brocklehurst had sold a range of new psychoactive substances, to customers as young as 13.
Two men who ran so-called ‘legal high’ shops selling 'not for human consumption’ substances have each been jailed for four and a half years.
Liston Pacitti and Paul Brocklehurst had sold a range of new psychoactive substances (NPS), to customers as young as 13, at their three stores in Tayside.
Substances supplied included synthetic cannabinoids despite many being clearly labelled as "Not for Human Consumption".
In some cases, the side effects of the substances can be severe if not potentially fatal. A number of people who took the substances bought from Pacitti and Brocklehurst’s stores fell ill and required hospital treatment.
Pacitti had been selling the substances at two shops in Montrose and Arbroath, and Brocklehurst at one in Perth. Both had been repeatedly warned by officers from Police Scotland about the health dangers but they continued regardless.
They were arrested by police and even after being cautioned and charged Paul Brocklehurst continued to sell the substances.
Speaking following the sentencing today, Procurator Fiscal Local Court, North and East of Scotland, Catriona Dalrymple said:
“Liston Pacitti and Paul Brocklehurst were only interested in profit, having no regard for the safety of their customers, and it is only by good fortune that there were no fatalities.
“Although the substances they supplied were not at the time controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 had yet to come into force, Police and prosecutors were able to build a case against them using the common law offence of culpable and reckless conduct. “
Speaking on behalf of Police Scotland, Superintendent Suzie Mertes said:
‘Police Scotland welcomes the sentence given today.
‘The sentence is testament to the excellent work of officers and partner agencies and re-enforces the message that we are fully committed to tackling the issues associated with new psychoactive substances.
‘Along with partner agencies we will continue to take enforcement against those individuals who are involved in the sale of these substances in Tayside and across Scotland.
‘Just because they are labelled legal does not mean they are safe. There is no safe way to take NPS, so avoid altogether."
Brocklehurst, 62, from Gwynedd in Wales, and Pacitti, 28, from Aberdeen, were sentenced at Dundee Sheriff Court.