A former fisherman-turned-drug dealer has been spared jail after police discovered a secret stash of heroin hidden under the floor of his home.
Thomas Robertson was found to have more than £9,000 worth of the Class A drug at the property in Fraserburgh.
A judge told the 44-year-old at the High Court in Edinburgh: “You have pled guilty to a very serious trafficking offence involving a Class A drug”.
Lord Arthurson said that he noted the offence occurred on a single day and the value of the drugs recovered.
He also took into account that Robertson has “significant health issues”.
He told Robertson, of Provost Noble Avenue, Fraserburgh, that he would adjourn the case for a further six months when a restriction of liberty order imposed on him by another court will have concluded.
In April of this year, Robertson previously admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin, as well as cocaine.
He was handed a two-year supervision order and a curfew for 12 months at the time.
In his latest court appearance, the judge told Robertson he now faces either a community-based disposal or a jail term.
Underfloor access hatch
Robertson had most recently admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin on February 15 last year at the address in Fraserburgh.
Police turned up at the property in connection with another matter and Robertson consented to them carrying out a search.
Advocate depute David Dickson said: “An underfloor access hatch was observed in the floor of the hallway behind the front door”.
Officers opened the hatch and retrieved a concealed package and the search was suspended while a drugs warrant was secured.
The package was found to contain more than 185 grams of heroin, which specialist officers estimated had a maximum street value of £9,180.
Drug addiction has ruined his life
Defence counsel Frances Connor said that Robertson’s recollection of his involvement in the offence was not great.
She added: “He was taking significant quantities of drugs at the time”.
She said that Robertson accepted that he has ruined his life and health as a result of his addiction.
The defence counsel said: “He was respected as a fisherman. He was a hard worker. He lost his family, his son and his employment as a result of his addiction”.
She said several services were now involved with him, trying to stop him from relapsing and Robertson told her that for about 18 months he has stuck to the programme.
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