Yob walked into cops’ path with drugs stash
He was caught red-handed after assaulting his partner
A dopey dealer caught with cannabis in a bucket after assaulting his partner, has been hit by a hefty fine.
Thomas Baxter, 25, grabbed and shoved ex-girlfriend Rebecca Carrol during the rammy over house keys at her flat.
Baxter then fled taking his stash of weed with him, right into the hands of police who caught him in possession of the Class-B drug.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard the young dad pleaded guilty to charges of domestically aggravated assault and possession with intention to supply, when he appeared at court for sentencing.
Fiscal depute Emma Jeffrey told the court: “An argument started because she said her partner was not helping around the house.
“Baxter said he was leaving and would not be coming back.
“She tried to get his keys, which were on his car keys.
“He walked towards her and grabbed her in an attempt to get them back.
“He then pushed her. She went to the living room and phoned the police.
“Police attended and observed the accused leaving in possession of a black bucket.
“They carried out a search and recovered a quantity of cannabis and drug paraphernalia in the bucket.”
Cops found almost 11 grams of grass in the pail near his partner’s home in the town’s Craggs Crescent around 2.30pm on January 24.
They searched the flat and found another 10 grams hidden in a jar in a cupboard.
Baxter insisted the drugs were shared with his mates and not sold on the street.
Defence lawyer Chris McKenna said: “He understands these are serious matters.
“Domestically aggravated assault and the supply charge on a noncommercial basis.
“He is greatly ashamed for the way he treated his partner.
“Since the incident he has avoided cannabis completely.
“And the experience has had a really deterring effect on him.
“His behaviour towards his partner was completely unacceptable.”
The lawyer asked the court to consider a disposal other than custody as he would lose his job and also miss out on contact with his son, aged 17 months.
Sheriff David Pender showed mercy to Baxter, of Coats Drive in the town, but said the offence still had to be marked by the court.
He said: “Although you appear as a first offender, these are serious matters.
“Domestic violence and drugs misuse are very serious.
“However, in the circumstances custody is not appropriate and a Community Payback Order will create difficulties for your employment as well as stopping you from seeing your son.”
He fined Baxter £1,000 payable at £200 a month.