Teenagers ‘evil trade’

Two teenagers who tried to smuggle ecstasy into the T in the Park music festival were warned this week that their names could have been added to the death toll of drug-related tragedies at this year’s event.

Describing it as “an evil trade,” Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told them: “The possession of Class A drugs, with intent to supply, is a very serious matter.

“Apart from anything else, you do not know what is in the tablets.”

There had been “at least a couple” of fatalities linked to illicit substances at the Strathallan Castle extravaganza in July.

He told 19-year-old Dylan Connelly: “You may have purchased the tablets for yourself and your chums.

“But if either of you had taken them, there may well have been a reaction and it may have resulted in the early demise of yourself - or your chums.”

Connell, of Milesmark, Fife, and 18-year-old Gavin Young, of Cumbernauld, appeared separately to admit being in possession of the drug with intent to supply it to others at the festival on July 7.

Connelly aroused the suspicions of police when he appeared to be “agitated and evasive” as he entered.

He was searched and 57 tablets, worth £570, were recovered.

A sniffer dog had singled out Young for attention in the campsite and 61 tablets, worth £610, were seized.

They were found in a wrap inside his boxer shorts.

He told police they were “for him and his friends.”

A solicitor for the 19-year-old said: “There had been a discussion between him and two friends that they would purchase the tablets and take them into the festival.

“Due to his naivity and peer pressure, it was agreed he would be the one to take them in.

“He appreciates that was a foolish thing to do.”

Asked by Sheriff Foulis, depute fiscal Craig Donald wasn’t able to counter the assertion from both accused that the tablets were for their own personal use - and that of their respective friends.

There was no evidence that they planned to supply other festivalgoers on a commercial basis.

Both men were ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community in the next six months after admitting the charges.

Sheriff Foulis reminded the second accused that the drugs conviction would be on his record and could affect his future jobs prospects.