Sheriff sends out stern warning to Class A drug dealers in Highlands

A Sheriff warned that people involved in the chain of supply of class A drugs to the Highlands could expect to go to prison if they are caught.

There was gasps from relatives in the public benches as Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist issued that stern message as he jailed an Alness drugs courier for three and half years after he was convicted by a jury in Inverness of being involved of the supply and cocaine and heroin.

David Ross was the driver of a vehicle stopped by police on the A9 at the junction of the Alness Business Park in February of last year and over £6,000 worth of drugs were seized in the operation.

The trial had heard that a co-accused Steven Hitching, a passenger in the Renault Megane driven by Ross, had already been jailed for 28 months at Dornoch Sheriff Court after admitting charges of being involved in the supply of the Class A drugs.

Sentence had been deferred on 28 year-old Ross from December 11 for background reports to be prepared.

Yesterday his solicitor Alison Foggo pleaded with the Sheriff to consider a community based disposal.

She said Ross had written his own letter to the court which said more than anything she could say by way of mitigation.

Ms Foggo said Ross recognised the error of his ways and had now taken steps to break his habit which began at the age of 16 using cannabis then amphetamine and cocaine.

"Although he never considered himself to be addicted he had availed himself of help available to leave his life of drugs behind him.

"This matter is plainly a serious one. He has made poor choices associating with people he did not know but he knew were involved in drug dealing."

She said his father and sister were in court and Ross, now of Novar Road, Alness, worked as a time-served joiner of his own accord and sometimes with his brother.

She asked the Sheriff to consider some of the changes he had put in place since he was arrested on February 13 last year.

Ross was convicted by the jury of being involved in the supply of cocaine, diamorphine (heroin) and possession of cannabis along with Hitching on the A9 on February 1.

He had lodged a special defence incriminating Hitching.

Jailing Ross the Sheriff told him said it was sad to see someone from such a good family background in court on such charges - "it’s sad for you and sad for your family".

But he added: "You willingly and knowingly became involved in the supply of class A drugs.

"This court is well aware there is a supply of drugs from the Liverpool area and that can’t work without people like you willing to take these drugs into the Highlands.

"On this occasion you were involved in the supply of two Class A drugs and by your own admission you know very well what will happen."

The Sheriff said there was no alternative to prison in such cases.

The trial last month heard how Ross’s co-accused Hitching was rugby tackled by one cop as he tried to escape running along the verge of the A9 after the car was stopped at the entrance to Alness Business Park.

Packages of cocaine and heroin were found lying beside him when he was brought to the ground.

Another package containing cocaine was found underneath the driver’s side of the car where Ross had been arrested and handcuffed.

The jury heard the total value of the drugs seized was in excess of £6000.

They retired for just 25 minutes and found Ross guilty by a majority of being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine and unanimously of being in possession of cannabis.

Sheriff Gilchrist backdated Ross’s sentence to December 11 when he was remanded after the trial.