Drug dealer to do unpaid work

“He was searched and a black Nokia mobile phone was discovered, with £1,200 cash.

“He was arrested, cautioned and made no reply.”

A search was carried out at the property.

The prosecutor said: “Wraps containing a crystal substance and others with white powder were found, along with a set of scales.

“Analysis discovered the crystal substance to be cocaine and the powder diamorphine (heroin).

“The accused’s DNA was found on packages of the drugs.

“Messages uncovered on the phone were consistent with messages selling drugs.”

More than £1,300 of cocaine was recovered and £120 of heroin, the fiscal depute added.

Defence solicitor Billy Watt previously said his client suffered from ADHD and post traumatic stress following a car accident.

He said he was “vulnerable” and lived with his grandparents near Liverpool.

Imposing the unpaid work order, Sheriff George Way said: “Obviously these are weighty offences.

“Mr Pennington has to understand it is a direct alternative to custody.

“If he was to come back, he could not expect anything else.

“This is on indictment.” Pennington has a year complete the work.

He has previously spent time in prison in England for imitation

to fire arms offences as well as other dealing convictions. In July 2020, Pennington was sent 20ft into the air after being mown down in his home town of Birkenhead, the Liverpool Echo reported.

Three gangsters, two of whom were masked and two of them armed, jumped out of the car and brutally attacked Pennington.

Pennington suffered a broken arm, broken wrist, broken fingers, wounds and bruises to his head and a 3cm stab wound to his shin.

It is understood Pennington required surgery.

He told police he did not know why he had been attacked, would not recognise any of the men again and was too scared to come to court.