A married motor-home salesman was outed as a cheating drug dealer after police caught him in a secret late-night tryst with his neighbour.
Douglas Stewart’s wife had no idea he was leading a double life until detectives raided the family home for drugs.
Stewart, 39, was on a drive in the early hours of the morning with Clare Hepburn, 28, when his car was pulled over by officers acting on a drug tip-off.
Perth Sheriff Court heard the incident led to the recovery of more than £4,000 worth of cocaine and ecstasy from Stewart in March last year.
Yesterday, he was jailed for six months after his solicitor told the court he had been “forced to come clean to the rest of his family”.
Stewart, of Southlands Road, Auchterader, admitted being concerned in the supply of both Class A drugs, on the A9 Perth to Stirling road near Gleneagles, in March.
Hepburn, who lives in the same street, admitted having cannabis at her home when it was raided on the same date. She was fined £200 yesterday.
Depute fiscal Matthew Kerr told the court: “Police received information that caused them to trace a motor vehicle at around 1.35am.
“They observed a white Mercedes leaving Broxden services in Perth. It headed southbound and further police vehicles were requested to assist in stopping it safely.
“The vehicle was stopped at the Gleneagles slip road. Mr Stewart was the driver and Miss Hepburn was the front seat passenger. They were both detained.”
Mr Kerr said several searches were carried out and a total haul of cocaine worth £2,800 and MDMA worth £1,280 were recovered from Stewart, along with £1,450 cash.
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said both of the accused had lost their jobs as a result of being arrested, although Stewart had since found a new post.
“He knows the court has to treat this seriously and send a message out into the community.
“He is someone who, by and large, has been leading a law-abiding life. He was led astray with casual drug use and others then pestering him to assist them.
“That is how it starts and then people get more involved and find themselves in deeper than they might ever have dreamed.
“He has had time to reflect on this and has been forced to come clean with the rest of his family. He has taken a long look at himself and his behaviour.”
Sheriff Keith O’Mahoney told Stewart: “You were involved in the supply of Class A drugs with a potential value of £4,000. In my view only a custodial disposal is appropriate.”
