This harrowing custody photo shows the bleak reality of a lifetime spent addicted to heroin.
Christopher Corness, 33, formerly of Sunningdale Avenue, Widnes, has been addicted to crack cocaine and heroin since starting to use drugs when he was just 14-years-old.
When he was arrested by police after being caught dealing drugs, he was personally using six to seven bags of heroin and five to six bags of crack cocaine a day.
On February 10, Liverpool Crown Court was told Corness had been exploited and was being directed by his supplier to sell drugs.
The defendant was seen by police in an exchange with another man in Joseph Street, Widnes, and it was suspected he was engaged in drug dealing.
Corness ran off when officers approached him, but was detained and spat out of his mouth a package containing nine wraps of heroin and 18 wraps of crack cocaine with a total street value of £270.
Chris Hopkins, prosecuting, said Corness also had £95 cash on him and his mobile phone kept ringing, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Mobile phone analysis revealed he had received 676 calls in the 11 days before his arrest from one particular number and his phone rang 16 times during his arrest and a further 35 times afterwards.
While in custody he used methadone and the court was told he wants to reduce his usage. He was diagnosed as having a borderline personality disorder and drug induced schizophrenia, anxiety and depression.
Paul Wood, defending, said his client had mental health issues for five years and at the time of the offences he had been living in a tent for three months outside homeless accommodation where he had a flat as his paranoia made him believe there was someone in his home in the loft space.
Mr Wood also told the court that Corness has a mark on his nose having suffered injuries as his drug dealers did not like his style of dealing, involving him giving drugs on tick to friends.
The court heard that Corness has 50 previous convictions for 123 offences including dishonesty, disorder and drug possession.
Sentencing the defendant to two and a half years in prison, Judge Gary Woodhall said that at the time of his latest offending he was the subject of a community order imposed in October for theft, disorder and Bail Act offences.
He said: “Unless you address your drug addiction you are going to continue this cycle of mental health problems and the commission of further offences.
“You need to take the time to reduce your drug addiction and turn your life around.”
