A paranoid drug dealer who caused more than £9,000 of damage when he tore apart a flat “looking for surveillance cameras” has been sent to prison.
Mariusz Rjatin admitted producing and selling cannabis as well as causing extensive damage to a property at Gallowgate at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.
The court heard that between March 1 and April 2 last year, the 36-year-old produced and sold cannabis – growing six plants with a maximum potential value of almost £5,000.
Police spotted Rjatin at a street in Aberdeen for a different matter and while in custody he was found to have a bag of white powder in his possession which was later found to be cocaine.
Fiscal depute Alison Reid said: “The accused had two mobile phones in his possession which had numerous messages where drug terminology was used. There were also photos of himself with what appeared to be cannabis.”
“He was found to have been sending photos with bags of what appeared to be cannabis.”
Another two mobiles were found when his flat was searched.
Then, in September last year, Rjatin caused extensive damage to a flat he was staying in, believing that someone had installed security cameras which were watching him.
Mrs Reid said: “There was damage to the electricity meter, holes in the plasterboard walls and electrical wiring was pulled out and damaged.
“The gas boiler was dismantled, the bathroom mirror was broken, fixtures and fittings from the walls and ceiling were removed.
“The cost to repair the damage was approximately £9,500.”
Defence agent Gail Goodfellow explained Rjatin moved to Scotland from Poland 15 years ago and found employment working with adults who have additional needs.
He stayed in the post for 14 years, but resigned voluntarily at the beginning of 2019 due to stress.
Mrs Goodfellow said: “Life took a major downturn after leaving his job and his wife asked him to leave due to his drug use.
“His mental health suffered and he began selling to close friends.
“He experienced drug-related paranoia that made him believe there were surveillance cameras.
“The damage was caused in an attempt to ‘make it stop’.”
Sheriff Philip Mann told him he was facing “very serious charges” which “involved a significant amount of drugs”.
He sentenced Rjatin, of Ruthrieston Circle, to eight months in prison.