Ex-Para denies drug charges

Andrea O’Neill A ex-soldier continued to deny cannabis cultivation charges in court on Christmas Eve.

Lloyd McClinton (32), an ex-army officer in the Parachute Regiment, was arrested in August 2013 in relation to the discovery of 250 cannabis plants — estimated to have a street value of around £129,000.

McClinton, of 25 Millgate Road, Hamilton, who works as a private security contractor, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court last Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to producing and supplying the Class B drug.

He was charged with having cannabis farms at two properties in East Kilbride on August 21, last year – at 104 Westwood Square, Westwood, and 282 Mallard Crescent, Greenhills.

McClinton also denied a charge of altering power supplies at both the properties by illegally bypassing the mains electricity meters.

Earlier this year, his solicitor Diarmid Bruce claimed two other people were to blame.

McClinton will next appear on January 9.