Dealer awaits sentence

Sentence has been deferred on a drug dealer from Callander who was caught with hundreds of pounds worth of heroin by police.

Andrew McEwan (46) was found to be concerned in the supply of the Class A drug at the Lidl store on Players Road, Stirling, on February 25.

The Menteith Crescent resident also failed to appear at Stirling Sheriff Court when ordered to do so on April 24.

He did appear in the dock on Wednesday morning, however, and fiscal depute Lindsey Brooks told the court that, at around 5.15pm on February 25, police stopped a vehicle in which the accused was travelling.

McEwan, who was the front-seat passenger, was searched and a wrap of brown powder was recovered from him. He told police that it was heroin, and the substance was tested and found to be 6.8 grammes with a value of £680.

When interviewed by police and asked about the heroin he said that he had a habit, and it was not his intention to sell.

However he accepts that there were texts on his phone which indicate people asking him about heroin.

Defence solicitor Frazer McCready said that McEwan was someone with a “very limited record” despite having had a drug addiction for a period of time.

The court heard that McEwan was not suitable for a Drug Treatment and Testing Order (DTTO) so the case was further continued for supplementary social work reports and a restriction of liberty report.

He is scheduled to return to court on September 5.