An offshore worker caught with cocaine on a train between Aberdeen and Inverness was fined £600 yesterday.
Darren Eastcroft was returning to his Moray home after a stint offshore on Wednesday, November 19, when a fellow passenger on the Scotrail service noticed he was in possession of the Class A drug.
The 35-year-old, of 3 Inchard Place Kinlochbervie, was picked up by police at Elgin Police Station when he got off the train.
Officers found him carrying five ecstasy tablets as well as a quantity of cocaine.
Depute fiscal Kevin Corrins said: “Passengers passed the accused and noted him to be in possession of a plastic bag containing white powder, and said he appeared to be under the influence of something.
“The train conductor then relayed the message to the police, who were waiting at Elgin station when the train pulled in.”
The officers found him with cocaine worth £50, and ecstasy with a value of £30.
Defence solicitor Stephen Carty said Eastcroft, who admitted the charges, had no recollection of purchasing the drugs.
He said: “Mr Eastcroft had been out drinking in Aberdeen until the early hours of that Wednesday morning.
“He had been drinking heavily, and his memory of the night is very poor.
“He was still under the influence of alcohol that morning when he discovered these items in his jacket pocket while on the train.
“He accepts that when he came across the items he had a fair idea of what they were – but he has no history with drugs whatsoever.
“He was aghast and thoroughly ashamed and he feels his employer will take a dim view on the matter.”
Mr Carty added that as an offshore worker his client is regularly tested for drugs.
Sheriff Susan Raeburn ordered Eastcroft to pay the £600 fine in monthly £150 installments.