A FORRES MAN was jailed for 18 months after appearing at Perth Sheriff Court where he admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis.
Callum Wall, 24, was stopped by police on the A9 – where he immediately admitted that he had controlled drugs in his car.
Wall, a tree surgeon from Birkenhillock Road in the Moray town, was found to have cannabis worth over £7000 in his possession after police, who were on the lookout for his vehicle after acting on a tip-off, stopped him on the A9.
The court learned that the accused had sold his car, motorbike and £500 worth of other belongings to hand over almost £10,000 to a gang to whom he was in debt. His solicitor described Wall as a “fairly naïve character” who had buried his head in the sand hoping it would all go away.
“Threats of violence were made to him,” his defence solicitor explained to the court, adding: “He also deeply regrets the fear that has been caused to his family – he has sold several items to cover the value of the drugs seized by the police.”
Sentencing Wall, Sheriff Fiona Tait noted that he was someone “who has not previously caused the court difficulty” and had the benefit of a supportive family and stable employment.
She added: “The difficulty for you is the nature of this charge. Given the value and the circumstances the court needs to make a clear deterrent. I’m not persuaded there’s any alternative to custody.”