News (Media Awareness Project) - UK: Boy Soccer 'Hero' Became Addicted To Heroin |
| Title: | UK: Boy Soccer 'Hero' Became Addicted To Heroin |
| Published On: | 1999-03-27 |
| Source: | Daily Telegraph (UK) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-06 09:40:25 |
A TEENAGE soccer player who partnered Michael Owen in the England
youth team was put on probation yesterday for dealing in heroin.
Jamie Burt, 19, who played for Newcastle United's junior side, was
described as having become almost a local hero through his
performances on the field. Four years ago he provided the pass which
allowed Owen to score his country's winning goal against Brazil's youth side.
But while Owen went on to the World Cup, Burt descended into the murky
world of drugs and became an addict, Durham Crown Court was told. His
career ended as he became hopelessly hooked on heroin.
Burt, of Blyth, Northumberland, admitted two offences of conspiracy to
supply heroin and cannabis and a further charge of supplying heroin.
Judge David Wood said he was taking an exceptional stance by placing
Burt on probation for two years and ordering him to undergo
counselling.
Michael Hodson, prosecuting, said: "By the age of 15 he was taking
methadone and valium. The greatest sadness about this is that he was
an exceptionally talented footballer playing for Newcastle United. By
1996, he was addicted to methadone and his football career was totally
at an end."
Tim Hewitt, defending, appealed for leniency saying Burt had now
conquered his drugs habit, due mainly to counselling he had been
receiving for the past nine months. He said Burt had started playing
football again at a local level and was planning to visit schools in
Blyth to warn youngsters about the dangers of drugs. He said: "The
defendant was almost a hero at 15. He was a talented footballer who
played for Newcastle United and England, playing alongside Michael
Owen. He turned into a drug addict. That is how far he has fallen but
now he wants to try and resume his former life."
Burt wept in the dock as details of his promising past were described. He
played for England's youth team seven times, starting four times and coming
on as substitute three times in the 1994-95 season. The judge told Burt:
"You have put your addiction behind you and you are determined to help
other young people."
youth team was put on probation yesterday for dealing in heroin.
Jamie Burt, 19, who played for Newcastle United's junior side, was
described as having become almost a local hero through his
performances on the field. Four years ago he provided the pass which
allowed Owen to score his country's winning goal against Brazil's youth side.
But while Owen went on to the World Cup, Burt descended into the murky
world of drugs and became an addict, Durham Crown Court was told. His
career ended as he became hopelessly hooked on heroin.
Burt, of Blyth, Northumberland, admitted two offences of conspiracy to
supply heroin and cannabis and a further charge of supplying heroin.
Judge David Wood said he was taking an exceptional stance by placing
Burt on probation for two years and ordering him to undergo
counselling.
Michael Hodson, prosecuting, said: "By the age of 15 he was taking
methadone and valium. The greatest sadness about this is that he was
an exceptionally talented footballer playing for Newcastle United. By
1996, he was addicted to methadone and his football career was totally
at an end."
Tim Hewitt, defending, appealed for leniency saying Burt had now
conquered his drugs habit, due mainly to counselling he had been
receiving for the past nine months. He said Burt had started playing
football again at a local level and was planning to visit schools in
Blyth to warn youngsters about the dangers of drugs. He said: "The
defendant was almost a hero at 15. He was a talented footballer who
played for Newcastle United and England, playing alongside Michael
Owen. He turned into a drug addict. That is how far he has fallen but
now he wants to try and resume his former life."
Burt wept in the dock as details of his promising past were described. He
played for England's youth team seven times, starting four times and coming
on as substitute three times in the 1994-95 season. The judge told Burt:
"You have put your addiction behind you and you are determined to help
other young people."
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