Two men who sold drugs at music festival jailed

Two men who sold cocaine from a tent at a Highland music festival have been jailed for eight months each.

Police Scotland and the organisers of Groove music festival welcomed the sentencing of Kevin McLorinan and James McGinley at Inverness Sheriff Court.

McLorinan, 32, of Airdrie, and McGinley, 31, of Parkhead, Glasgow, both pleaded guilty to being involved in the supply of cocaine at the Groove Festival in Dores on August 19 last year.

Police said they were tipped off by concerned festival-goers. When officers raided the tent, they found over 50 grams as well as wraps and over £1,800.

McLorinan’s lawyer, Bob McDowall said his client was not “a professional commercial dealer”.

“He has no trappings of wealth and was involved in social supply to a circle of friends who went to the festival,” he said.

“She does not accept conduct like this. They are now separated”

McGinley’s solicitor, Duncan Henderson said: “His partner has made it clear she does not accept conduct like this. They are now separated.”

Police Scotland event commander Chief Inspector Colin Gough said: “While the vast majority of those attending Groove enjoyed the event in a responsible manner, it is disappointing that McLorinan and McGinley thought they could get away with selling drugs on the site.

“It should be noted that the information which led to the tent being searched came from concerned festival-goers.

“We look forward to supporting this year’s Groove festival and working with the organisers to continue to deliver a safe event.”

Dougie Brown of Groove said: “It is disappointing these two individuals did not listen to the warnings ahead of the event with regards to our zero tolerance stance on drugs, but we must praise the work of Police Scotland, Showsec and vigilant festival goers.”