Pubdate: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 Source: Daily Record and Sunday Mail (UK) Copyright: 1999 Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd. Contact: Anderston Quay, Glasgow, Scotland, G3 8DA Website: http://www.record-mail.co.uk/rm/ Author: Sheriff Mairi Stephen, at Fort William. BROTHER AND SISTER DEALERS JAILED A Fort William brother and sister were behind bars last night after being told by a sheriff that public opinion demanded severe sentences for those involved in the supply of drugs. Andrew Cairns, 24, was jailed for three years and his heroin-addicted sister, Andrea, 30, for two-and-a-half years by Sheriff Mairi Stephen at Fort William. She told them: "Those who choose to become involved in supplying drugs will be dealt with severely as public opinion demands." A jury last month found Andrew Cairns, of 47 Ross Place, and Andrea, of 44 Kennedy Road, guilty by a majority verdict of being concerned in the supply of heroin to others on the A82 Glasgow-Fort William road at Onich on March 28. Andrew Cairns had also denied intentionally obstructing three police officers by attempting to drive away from the scene to prevent them searching the car and its occupants, and possessing cannabis at his home. Both charges were withdrawn by the Crown midway through his trial and he was formally acquitted of them by Sheriff Stephen. He also changed his plea and admitted possessing a prohibited weapon, a CS gas canister, and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment to run concurrently with the three years on the drugs charge. The court had been told that Andrea Cairns had five previous convictions for possession. Her brother had twice been convicted for possession and once for possession with intent to supply. The two were stopped by plain-clothed drugs squad officers as they returned by car from Glasgow. In an elaborate surveillance operation, four unmarked police cars boxed in their vehicle when it stopped at roadworks at Onich. One wrap of heroin was found in Andrea Cairns's jacket, and an intimate body search carried out later by a doctor revealed 10.5grammes of heroin in a container, with a street value of up to UKP2,800. The court had been told that Andrea Cairns, who did not give evidence at her trial, was a heavy heroin user and that the drugs were for use by herself and her boyfriend. Her brother told the jury he was unaware she had heroin concealed inside her until drugs squad officers ambushed their car. He denied suggestions that the CS gas canister was to protect his drugs running, and said he carried it because he regarded himself as being in danger from a Mallaig man following a relationship with his girlfriend. Frederick Main, representing Andrea Cairns, told the sheriff that since being stopped by police she had made serious efforts to wean herself off heroin. David McNeil, for Andrew Cairns, told the court: "The drug culture seems to have been adopted by his age group and generation and he has become entangled in that culture." The sentences have been welcomed by police, who last week seized drugs with a street value of more than UKP300,000 in a series of raids in the Inverness and Fort William areas. Concerned Highland councillors in Lochaber have also recently called for more cash to be made available to police to mount surveillance operations. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea