'Wake up call' for Ross-shire man (31) spared jail after admitting cocaine supply charge
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A ROSS-SHIRE man who was storing and selling cocaine from his home was spared a prison sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court.
Graham Gate (31) of the Council Houses, Alcaig, Conon Bridge appeared for sentence after preparation of a background report before Sheriff Sara Matheson and admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine on October 28, 2020.
He was sentenced to 220 hours of unpaid community work as an alternative to prison.
Defence solicitor advocate Neil Wilson told the court: "This was a wake-up call for him. He has gone through voluntary rehab and has been free of drugs for the best part of three years.
"He has got a place on a college course which starts in August and is hopeful of a fishing job until then."
Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood previously told the court that police had obtained a warrant to search Gate's then house in Firhill, Alness.
"They found a box in the kitchen containing 25.72 grams of cocaine and scales with traces of cocaine. He said he was holding the drugs for someone.
"But witnesses said people had come to the address that day to source drugs," Ms Eastwood continued.
She added that the drugs had a value of between £1000 and £2500.
