Pubdate: Sun, 09 Sep 2007
Source: Sunday Mail (UK)
Copyright: 2007 Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2260
Author: Marion Scott

ADDICT GAVE OUR SON LETHAL INJECTION.. SO WHY IS HE STILL FREE?

Family of Drug Death Teen Slam Killer's Sentence

A DEVASTATED family have hit out after the junkie who killed their 
son by injecting him with heroin walked free.

Scott Fisher, 19, died after being injected with heroin by Brian 
Ballantyne, 30.

But the addict - who also administered the drug to two other men - 
was given just 240 hours' community service and two years' probation.

Last night, Scott's devastated mum Jennifer, 43, said: "Just days 
ago, the highest-ever drug death toll was announced in Scotland. My 
son's death was in that shameful toll.

"How can any judge set his killer free if our justice system wants to 
stop this carnage?

"Shoplifters have been sentenced to jail but the monster who took my 
son's life is a free man.

"My son made a silly mistake and it cost him his life.  The man who 
killed him should be behind bars."

Trainee chef Scott died at Ballantyne's flat in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire.

He had gone there with his brother Stuart, 23, who had just left the 
Army after two tours of Iraq.

Scott had taken ecstasy and asked Ballantyne to inject them with a 
small dose of heroin.

Ballantyne, now living in nearby Menstrie, took some of the heroin in 
return for injecting the brothers.

Stuart left his brother at Ballantyne's flat after the addict assured 
him he was sleeping.

But when he returned in the early hours of the morning, he found 
emergency services trying to save him.

Stuart then raced to his parent's home in Tillicoultry.  Jennifer 
said: "Stuart was hysterical, screaming, 'Scott's gone, Scott's gone.'

"I just fell apart. Scott was a funny, loveable teenager who lit up 
the lives of everyone he met."

Dad George, 45, added: "The very least my boy's life was worth was a 
long time behind bars for the man who killed him."

Advocate John Keenan told a court Ballantyne did not mean to harm 
Scott, adding: "It was a means to effectively fund his own drug use.

"He did not purchase the drug and is extremely remorseful. He has 
been addicted to heroin for a long number of years and is seeking help."

Ballantyne claimed he called the emergency services without delay.

His mother Jessie, of Menstrie, said: "It's terrible but my son was 
not the only one involved that night."

The Fisher family will petition the Lord Advocate over Lord 
Turnbull's judgment at the High Court in Kilmarnock last week.

Ballantyne admitted injecting Scott and two others, including a 
disabled blind man.

Lord Turnbull said: "Ordinarily, the court would impose a very long 
sentence. This is not a case where you are suggested to be a drug supplier."

Last week, it was revealed that there were 421 drugs deaths in 
Scotland in 2006 - 25 per cent more than the previous year.

Drug campaigner Jim Doherty, of Glasgow's Gallowgate Family Support 
Group, said: "Until people like Ballantyne are put behind bars, more 
young people will end up dead."

The Crown Office said: "We and the procurator fiscal will consider 
whether an appeal against an unduly lenient sentence is appropriate." 
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