Caughtwithdrug

A man was caught with heroin after being stopped in Alyth in connection with an unrelated matter.

Thirty-two-year-old Ryan Wishart was told by Sheriff Gillian Wade: “Clearly given your record, it would be open to me to impose a custodial sentence right now.”

However, because he was addressing his drug problems, she said she would give him“the benefit of the doubt.”

She called for a background report and deferred sentence until November 28.

Wishart, of Victoria Street, Blairgowrie, had earlier been rebuked for coming into court while speaking on his mobile phone but initially offered no apology for his“appalling behaviour.”

After speaking with his lawyer, Paul Ralph, Wishart said he was“extremely sorry.”

The accused admitted having the class A drug in Alyth’s Market Square on May 14, 2018.

Depute fiscal Michael Sweeney told the court that police traced the accused about 5.30pm that day in relation to an unconnected matter.

The accused appeared to be under the influence of something.

The heroin weighed 0.68 grammes with a value of around £68.

Mr Ralph said his client was now on a reducing methadone prescription.

Deferring sentence meantime, Sheriff Wade told Wishart:“You are standing at the door of the jail and your behaviour does nothing to suggest you are acting in a mature and adult way.”