Judge calls for longer pregabalin supply jail terms

The judge called the maximum sentence open to him 'ludicrous'

A district judge in Londonderry has criticised sentences he can impose in cases involving the supply of the drug pregabalin as “totally inadequate”.

Barney McElholm made the comments as he jailed a woman involved in supplying the drug in August 2023 for two months.

The court was told a young man had later died after taking the drug and police inquiries had led them to the defendant, who cannot be named because of a court order.

The judge said the maximum sentence of three months for having the drug with intent to supply was “ludicrous”.

Sentencing at Bishop Street courthouse in Derry on Friday, Judge McElholm said: “One can't escape the fact a young man lost his life as a result of this defendant's activities.”

The judge said it had been “a very difficult case” and that pregabalin was one of the most dangerous drugs in circulation.

The woman, who has been granted anonymity, admitted that she supplied pregabalin, a drug used to treat a range of conditions including epilepsy and anxiety, to other people.

Mr McElholm told the court in Derry pregabalin should be seen as a class A drug, adding that Just Stop Oil protesters had been jailed for four years.

The court was told police carried out a search of the woman’s property and six sheets of pregabalin were found.

She claimed that she had people drinking in her flat and that they knew where she kept the drug, the court was told.

A defence solicitor said it would be inappropriate “not to reflect on the tragic death in the case”.

He said the death of the man was a “practical example of the evil of drugs”.

The judge said the courts had to send out a message but that his sentencing powers were “totally inadequate”.

What is pregabalin?

Pregabalin is used to treat conditions including epilepsy, nerve pain and anxiety on the NHS.

It comes as tablets, capsules or in liquid form, and may be called Alzain, Axalid or Lyrica, depending on the brand.

Prescription rates are showing signs of levelling off, across the UK, but doctors say it can be a very useful treatment for patients when taken correctly, and should remain available.