FISHING leaders have condemned a judge after he freed a Cornish trawlerman who sold heroin because he could “understand fishermen resorting to drink and drugs”.

Judge William Hart's comments were last night described as “deranged” and “barmy”.

Judge Hart, sitting at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday, had been told that drug-taking is “unfortunately a common feature among members of the British fishing industry”. He was presiding over the case of Darren Walsh, 37, of Chyance Drive, Newquay, who had pleaded guilty to supplying heroin in October 2005 and possessing the drug with intent to supply.

Judge Hart told Walsh that normally anyone who supplied Class A drugs would go straight to prison. But he added that while drug use could not be tolerated, he understood how fishermen were particularly susceptible to addiction.

He said that in Walsh's case he found there were “exceptional circumstances” which allowed him to pass a suspended sentence, coupled with a supervision and addiction treatment order.

Paul Trebilcock, chief executive of the Cornish Fishing Producers Organisation, said he found the judges remarks “deranged”. He added: “This is another example of a judge talking absolute nonsense – drug-taking is not a feature of fishing life. Yes, times are hard for the fishing industry, but that does not mean that fishermen are turning to heroin to either take or supply.”

David Stevens, a fisherman from Newlyn, said: “If I even suspected someone on my boat was either taking drugs or selling them they'd be sacked in a flash. What this judge has said demeans the fishing industry. His comments are barmy.”

Julia Goldsworthy, MP for Falmouth and Camborne, said: “Rural industries like fishing have been struggling. But that certainly does not mean that people working resort to drug-taking or supplying drugs.”

Jim Portus, of the South West Fish Producers Organisation, added: “I'm appalled that a judge would stereotype an industry like that. My initial reaction is one of total disbelief. Unfortunately we are used to judges making crass comments and these comments appear to fall into that category. This is not a true reflection of the fishing industry.”

Walsh was arrested in Cirencester with 1.42g of heroin on October 17, 2005. The case took so long to come to sentencing because Walsh had gone to Ireland and was only found and arrested in February this year. He was held in custody since then.

The court heard Walsh had been a drug addict for several years. He had worked as a fisherman for 22 years.

Judge Hart told him: “In this court anyone involved with the supply of class A drugs will go straight to prison, save for exceptional circumstances. Although drug use cannot be condoned, I understand how people in your profession may find themselves susceptible to problems with drugs or alcohol.”

Walsh was sentenced to 50 weeks in jail, suspended for two years.

He was ordered to undergo six months' drug rehabilitation and 12 months' supervision.