Oil worker jailed for cannabis haul

Arbroath, previously pleaded guilty on the day of his trial to being concerned in the supply of cannabis at the Old Telephone Exchange, Hawkhill, Inverkeilor, between May 9-August 15 2017.

Defence solicitor Billy Rennie said Cargill has a previous conviction for drug offences and committed the offence in a bid to appease Black because of a previous failed drug scheme.

He said: “He does state this was done to pacify the reaction from Mr Black in relation to his loss of what he had been involved in before. He accepts the culpability but he’s not the main organiser, the main player as it were.”

A social work report stated that Cargill would be suitable for a noncustodial sentence. But this was strongly rebuffed by Sheriff Tom Hughes who described that view as “entirely unrealistic”, adding that there would be “public outcry” if he didn’t jail Cargill.

He said: “You are not a stranger to the court. You have actually got a conviction for an analogous offence. What makes matters worse is you are someone who is in a privileged position. You have actually got quite a good income and here you are dabbling in drugs to augment your income.

“What you are actually doing is despicable. In this court, on a daily basis, we have to witness the misery that people like you bring.”

Cargill was jailed for 18 months. Sentence was deferred on Black, who is being prosecuted separately, until next month for reports.

Dundee Sheriff Court