Elgin man will spend over two years in jail on drug charges

High speed chase led to court appearance
High speed chase led to court appearance

A HIGH SPEED chase through the streets of Elgin and the subsequent discovery of a stash of drugs led to a man being jailed for over two years.

David O’Donnell, 36, appeared from custody at Elgin Sheriff Court on Thursday where he admitted charges of dangerous driving and being involved in the supply of cocaine from premises in the Moray town.

The court learned that O’Donnell was spotted by police driving in an erratic manner on the A96 close to the Oakwood Cookery School on October 19. When signalled to pull over, O’Donnell increased speed and made off, swerving into the path of oncoming traffic and forcing other vehicles to take evasive action.

O’Donnell failed to escape the police pursuit and finally came to a rest on the grounds of the Anderson’s Care Home, where he made off over a wall. He was, however, detained and it was at that point that police discovered cocaine with a street value of £18,000.

Fiscal Kevin Corrins told the court: “Officers examined his bag and found £1200 in £100 notes and 242 grams of cocaine. If sold in individual deals that amount would generate up to £17,900.”

The court was told that the accused had become addicted to the drug when working as a taxi driver and was spending up to £700 on cocaine every week.

Sheriff Marion McDonald said that there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence, jailing O’Donnell for 28 months and 14 days. He was also banned from driving for three years.