Man had cannabis ‘to share with his friends’

Police caught a man with a £600 haul of drugs he claimed were to share with friends.

Iain Copeland had cannabis with a potential street value of £ 600 when officers stopped him in a car with others on October 18 last year.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard how the unemployed 28- year- old had made the bulk purchase after several friends “chipped in”.

When he appeared for sentence, it was stressed that the drugs had been bought on a “social supply” basis only and that Copeland, of George Street, Paisley, would not have made any money.

He had previously had sentence deferred for background reports to be prepared after admitting that he had 2.5 ounces of cannabis in his possession during the incident in Linwood, Road, Paisley, with intent to supply to others.

Defence agent Peter Galletly stressed that his client had no income and had only agreed to get involved on a friendly basis, on the understanding that the cannabis would be shared between those who had paid.

Copeland, a first offender who had never been in trouble before, had previously admitted his involvement last month.

However, Mr Galletly said “everyone in that car could have been charged and held responsible, although he accepted his guilt”.

After studying reports, Sheriff Susan Sinclair hit out: “Social supply is, in my book, still drug dealing and that is something that the court takes a very serious view of.”

She said, however, because Copeland had never been in trouble before and had admitted his guilty early, she would make him the subject of a 12-month Community Payback Order.

This means he needs to do 180 hours of unpaid work in a four-month period.

Copeland was told to cooperate or face the almost inevitable consequences of a period of imprisonment. He was also ordered to attend drug counselling if required