Kyle of Lochalsh man avoids jail term over cannabis and cocaine drug deal – but gets no-nonsense warning from Highland sheriff as restriction of liberty order imposed
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An off-duty policeman in a Wester Ross hotel overheard a drug deal being made by a Kyle of Lochalsh man and reported it to his colleagues.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that a search warrant was later obtained for 39-year-old Darren MacLean's home in Heathmount Row and cocaine and cannabis were found as well as £2010.
Fiscal depute David Morton said the total maximum value of the drugs was around £6000.
MacLean admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possession of cannabis resin and sentence was deferred for a background report.
Defence solicitor Clare Russell asked Sheriff Sara Matheson not to jail her client and follow the recommendation of social workers.
She added: "He has worked in the agricultural industry since he was 18. But a shoulder injury has prevented him from continuing to work. He suffers chronic pain and used cannabis to self-medicate."
"He was holding the substances in exchange for cannabis," Ms Russell added.
Sheriff Matheson elected not to imprison MacLean. But she imposed a three-month long restriction of liberty order, whereby MacLean must wear an electronic tag and remain in his home between 7pm and 7am.
She also placed him under a year's social work supervision.
However she warned him any breach of the orders would bring him back to court for sentencing anew as if the order had not been made and all options were open.
