Sheriff’s jail warning to drug dealer

Two men pulled over by police in Stirling city centre ended up in court when drugs were found on one of them.

Stewart Cairney and Craig McColl were stopped by officers in Burghmuir Road at 8.30pm on October 21.

The pair appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court on Wednesday for sentencing.

Cairney, 29, who now lives in Shotts but previously of Dunipace, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, while McColl, of Murrayshall Road in Stirling, admitted trying to pervert the course of justice.

The court heard that police officers had pulled over a vehicle which was crossing between lanes in Burghmuir Road.

Fiscal depute Laura Knox said: “Police officers in a marked vehicle stopped the car due to its poor lane discipline.

“Mr Cairney was the driver and Mr McColl was in a rear passenger seat. Mr Cairney’s eyes were glazed and he was very nervous.”

The officers searched Cairney and found 11 bags of white powder in a pocket of his jeans. The substance was found to be cocaine, with a street value of £520. Further searches were later conducted at his property, where sealed bags and a further £80 worth of cocaine were recovered. Officers also recovered £673 in cash.

Whilst Cairney was being arrested, McColl attempted to run off from police. “Whilst police officers awaited assistance Mr McColl exited the motor vehicle,” Mrs Knox added.

“He made off from the locus but was quickly traced by police officers.”

Defending Cairney, Frazer McCready said that his client had stayed out of trouble for 10 years but had turned to using drugs after the breakdown of a longterm relationship.

He said: “As a result of taking substances on a regular basis, he lost his employment. He accepts that as a result of losing his employment, the finances to continue the use of illicit substances went and that is how he came into this incident.”

Ken Dalling, representing 27-year-old McColl, said that the incident had been a wake-up call for his client.

Sheriff William Gilchrist fined McColl £450, and said that Cairney was lucky to avoid jail as he issued him with 300 hours unpaid work.

He said: “If your record had been more recent, I would have sent you to prison, particularly given your conviction in 2007. Given that there is a gap in circumstances, I will apply an alternative to custody.”