Farm worker was caught with three wraps
A dopey tractor driver was warned he better make hay and “pay something back” after he was done for drugs offences.
Dean Johnstone, 23, was busted with three wraps of cocaine in Johnstone’s High Street when stopped by police on March 25.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard Johnstone, who is a habitual cannabis user, pleaded guilty to possession of 6.44 grams of the class A drug with a street value of between £180 and £200.
The farm worker, of Rankine Street, also Johnstone, was appearing for sentencing yesterday following the preparation of reports by the social work department.
Defence agent Charlie McCusker said his client was about to start work on the farm’s harvest and would soon be “ploughing the fields” and keeping busy.
He said: “The report reveals concerns about his record and his drug use. He had entirely limited his drug use to cannabis when he was found with cocaine, which is a more serious offence.
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“He is about to begin work on a farm at Brookfield, where he is a tractor driver, in time for next month’s harvest.
“He will soon be ploughing the fields, and he has a stable relationship, and fully regrets his involvement in this matter.”
The lawyer urged the court to consider a community based disposal given his early plea of guilty. He said that his client would be willing to carry out work in community.
Sheriff Colin Pettigrew handed Johnstone 150 hours of unpaid work with a stern warning attached.
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He said: “I am becoming concerned over the number of drug convictions that you have.
“What I am dealing with is a class A drug, albeit I am told your drug of choice is cannabis. So I will make it clear today, this sentence is an alternative to custody because of the level of seriousness, going by your convictions.
“So you can go and plough the fields, but you will be paying something back.”
Johnstone has nine months to do the work and he will be under supervision of the social work department for 12 months. Police are appealing for information after crooks tried to break in to a Johnstone bowling club.
Officers say the attempted robbery took place at Robertson Park Bowling Club between 10pm on Tuesday, August 15 and 9am on Wednesday, August 16.
The suspects were not able to gain entry, but police are still keen to trace those involved.
A Po l i c e Scotland spokeswoman said: “If anyone was in the park between these times and saw persons acting suspiciously near the bowling club, please call Johnstone police on 101.”