Six months in jail for Perth drug deal teen

Police seized stashes of cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis, along with several hundred pounds in cash, after raiding two Perth houses within days of each other.

Officers took possession of 40 grammes of cannabis, with an estimated street value of £380, after searching Peter Alexander’s home in Leslie Court.

They also discovered £490 in his wallet, depute fiscal Carol Whyte told Perth Sheriff Court.

The drugs haul led to the 18-year-old drug dealer being given six months’ detention when he appeared for sentence this week.

The cash, which he claimed he had been saving up for a T in the Park ticket, was also forfeited.

He admitted being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug at his Fairfield flat, and a coaccused’s former home , on May 27, 2016.

Josh McGregor (19), previously of Gilsay Place and now Viewfield Place, Perth, was fined £500 after he pled guilty to being in possession of the Class A drugs cocaine and ecstasy at his North Muirton address on May 24 last year.

The court was told that a search warrant was executed for Gilsay Place on May 24.

One gramme of cocaine, valued at £100, and two ecstasy tablets, worth £10£20, were recovered.

The search of the property at Leslie Court took place at 5.15pm on May 27.

Police found a plastic capsule containing three wraps of cannabis.

Alexander also “volunteered” there were two white bags of cannabis, along with a small, clear bag of the same drug, in his kitchen.

“A police dog indicated a drawer in the kitchen where further cannabis was found in a further bag,” stated the fiscal.

The 40 grammes of the Class B drug could be sold for an estimated £380.

A wallet, containing the Alexander’s ID, along with £490, was subsequently seized.

Ms White said officers also took possession of Alexander’s iPhone.

It was examined and it contained a number of messages which related to the supply of cannabis.

Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said her client had a “limited record” and asked that he be given a Community Payback Order as a “direct alternative” to custody.

But Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told Alexander: “The impression given is that you are someone who doesn’t accept any responsibility for being concerned in the supply of cannabis, notwithstanding your guilty plea.

“I don’t consider a Community Payback Order is appropriate.”

Lawyer David Holmes, for McGregor, said he had “experienced difficulties” as a young person but hadn’t taken drugs of any kind for the last six months.

He will pay his fine at £40 a month.