Inverness dealer sold drugs to buy comforts for dying mum, court told

AN Inverness drug dealer claimed he was using the income to help making his dying mother’s life more comfortable and fund his own habit.

Stephen Donnelly (40) of Kilmuir Road admitted at Inverness Sheriff Court being involved in the supply of cannabis on March 13 last year from his home.

A police raid at his address uncovered the cannabis resin, Procurator Fiscal Sharon Ralph said.

"Police had information to suggest he was involved in supplying and obtained a search warrant," she said.

"During the course of the search they recovered a quantity of resin worth £1,650, scales and cash totalling £675. During the course of the search he indicated he ‘dealt a wee bit in cannabis’ and was using the money too ‘look after his mum’.

Solicitor Marc Dickson said Donnelly had been his mother’s carer. She died in December from cancer.

"She was in poor health for many years," he said. "He became involved to make a small amount of money to supplement his own cannabis habit and to make his mother’s life more comfortable."

Mr Dickson said Donnelly had a similar previous conviction in 2008.

Sheriff Margaret Neilson told Donnelly being involved in the supply of drugs was always a serious matter but the social work report before her was a very positive one.

"It’s with some hesitation I am not imposing a custodial sentence," she told him.

Donnelly was ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service and to participate in a therapy programme for offenders.

He was also placed on a supervised payback order for 18 months.