A man accused of using his five-year-old nephew to help peddle heroin in inner Sydney has been refused bail.
The 34-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faced Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday after being charged with nine offences over the supply of heroin throughout Woolloomooloo and Darlinghurst earlier this month.
Police say the long-term drug user used his nephew, who is believed to be around five years old, to collect money on three separate occasions from December 3 to 5.
After the money was collected the uncle then allegedly met up with undercover officers and handed over heroin.
The man's lawyer Mark Bastick told the court the 34-year-old would likely plead guilty to all nine charges but was anxious to be released so he could care for his mother who was a double amputee and is confined to a wheelchair.
"He is himself someone who has a significant problem with drug use. He has abused heroin for a number of years," he said.
While Mr Bastick conceded there was a strong prosecution case against his client, he said the boy's role was less clear.
But prosecutor Paul Keane said the man had exposed the young boy to "great risk".
Magistrate Michael Price refused him bail, finding he posed an unacceptable risk if released and was likely to serve a custodial sentence if convicted.
According to facts tendered to court the man was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment in 2005 for the ongoing supply of drugs.
Share
