Drug dealer’s jail term after wrecking flat

A paranoid drug dealer who caused damage worth £ 9,500 when he tore apart a flat “looking for surveillance cameras” has been sent to prison.

Mariusz Rjatin, of Ruthrieston Circle, admitted producing and selling cannabis at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday as well as causing damage to the property at Gallowgate.

The court heard that between March 1 and April 2 last year, the 36-year-old produced and sold cannabis – growing six plants with a maximum potential value of almost £5,000.

Police spotted Rjatin at a street in Aberdeen for a different matter and while in custody he was found to have a bag of white powder in his possession which was found to be cocaine.

Fiscal depute Alison Reid said: “The accused had two mobile phones in his possession which had numerous messages where drug terminology was used. There were also photos of himself with what appeared to be cannabis.”

“He was found to have been sending photos with bags of what appeared to be cannabis.”

Last September Rjatin caused extensive damage to a flat he was staying in, believing that someone had installed security cameras which were watching him.

Mrs Reid said: “There was damage to the electricity meter, holes in the plasterboard walls and electrical wiring was pulled out and damaged.

“The gas boiler was dismantled, the bathroom mirror was broken, fixtures and fittings from the walls and ceiling were removed.

“The cost to repair the damage was approximately £9,500.”

Defence agent Gail Goodfellow said Rjatin moved to Scotland from Poland 15 years ago and worked with adults who had additional needs. He stayed in the job for 14 years, but resigned voluntarily at the beginning of last year due to stress.

Mrs Goodfellow said: “Life took a major downturn after leaving his job and his wife asked him to leave due to his drug use.

“His mental health suffered and he began selling to close friends.

“He experienced drugrelated paranoia that made him believe there were surveillance cameras. The damage was caused in an attempt to ‘make it stop’.”

Sheriff Philip Mann told him he was facing “very serious charges” which “involved a significant amount of drugs”.

He sentenced Rjatin to eight months in prison.

JAILED: Mariusz Rjatin is taken off to custody from Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.