Rebus sniffs out drug stash

An aristocrat who took cocaine into T in the Park in a yak-hair waistcoat was caunht by a police don called Rebus. Henry Titley was caunht as he tried to net into the festival

AN ARISTOCRAT who took cocaine into T in the Park in a yak-hair waistcoat was caught out by a police dog called Rebus.

Henry Titley was caught with a wrap of the Class A drug as he tried to get into the festival while he was part of a stag party.

Drug dog Rebus, which shares the name of Ian Rankin’s fictional detective, sat down beside Titley to indicate he was carrying drugs. When he was searched, cocaine was found in the pocket of his exotic waistcoat.

PC Martin Townsend, 31, said: “I put my hand in and it was the only thing in the pocket. It was a clear plastic bag containing white powder.

“He said he didn’t know it was there. He did look a bit shocked. It tested positive for cocaine.”

Titley, 36, Windmill Lane, Kemble, Gloucestershire, denied having cocaine at T in the Park on 13 July last year and claimed a member of the stag party must have hidden the cocaine in his waistcoat.

He said several people may have worn the unusual garment the previous evening when they had gone outside to smoke.

He said he had been separated from his group as he entered the festival and engaged the police dog handler in conversation about Rebus because he was interested in dogs.

“I was taken to a search tent and, for no apparent reason, I was apprehensive. It didn’t feel right at all. I was asked to drop my trousers after the bag was found. I was pretty humiliated. I was shocked,” he said.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said: “The crucial factor here is whether you knew you were in possession of the Class A drug.

“The Crown have to satisfy me beyond reasonable doubt that you had knowledge of the drug in your possession.

“The Crown proved it was on your person. A fter it was found the officer indicated you appeared a bit shocked. I am not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt.”

He found the charge not proven

Henry Titley leaves Perth Sheriff Court after the not proven verdict.