Teen legged it after cops found him with ecstasy

A Perth teenager legged it after he was stopped by police and they discovered 11 ecstasy tablets on him.

But officers chased after him and he was apprehended in the city’s Scott Street car park, the sheriff court was told this week.

Eighteen-year-old Peter Alexander, who is currently serving six months’ detention for drug dealing, had a 140-hour Community Payback Order imposed this week.

He will also be supervised for the next 12 months.

The accused, who will go to stay on the Abercairney Estate, near Crieff, following his release, admitted having the Class A drug in his possession in South Methven Street, Perth, on October 21 last year.

He also intentionally obstructed two officers by running off while being searched.

Depute fiscal Claire Kennedy said the accused was detained by police under the Misuse of Drugs Act shortly before midnight.

A bag was seized and it was found to contain five yellow and six red pills.

They were later identified as ecstasy and had a street value of £33.

“As one of the officers cautioned him, he ran away down South Street and turned into Scott Street,”explained the fiscal.

“The constables chased after him and he was traced in the Scott Street car park.”

He was then placed in rigid handcuffs before being taken to Perth police headquarters.

Solicitor John McLaughlin said the short period the accused had already spent in detention had“driven home to him”the error of his ways.

His actions in running off were described as“exceptionally stupid.”

Alexander’s earliest liberation day was said to be December 29 this year.

He had been given six months behind bars earlier this month after 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 Alexander’s then home in Leslie Court.

They also discovered £490 in his wallet, which he claimed he had been saving up for T in the Park.

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

Sheriff William Wood said he was prepared to impose the Community Payback Order to see whether the earlier spell of detention had the“required deterrent effect”and had put him off dealing in - and possessing - drugs.

The unpaid work will have to be completed within the next nine months.

He was traced in the Scott Street car park