A Dundee drug dealer has been jailed for eight months after telling the city’s sheriff court he “couldn’t see the problem with growing cannabis”.
Robert Finnan was found with thousands of pounds of the drug at his home in Blacklock Crescent.
Police found 300 grams of the drug together with paraphernalia including scales and mobile phones.
He subsequently pled guilty to supplying a controlled drug.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, the 25-year-old’s solicitor, Anika Jethwa, presented Finnan as “younger than his years; almost like a teenager”. She suggested that although he claimed to care for his younger brother after a family bereavement, the situation was perhaps the other way round.
Sheriff George Way observed he had been able to become involved in a very organised and planned drug operation and had amassed a significant amount of cannabis.
He also expressed concern at the accused’s lack of remorse after hearing he’d told solicitors “I don’t see the problem with growing cannabis”.
“You were part of the drug supply chain,” the sheriff said. “Unless you are constrained it appears that you will continue to be part of that chain.
“You say you don’t see the problem with growing cannabis but in this country it is highly illegal.
“The message you are sending is one of defiance.”
Sentence had been deferred for reports to enable the court to consider all its options but Sheriff Way said it had only served to narrow the options to one.
“I cannot allow a situation where you can break the law in such a flagrant manner and then expect me to say “OK, have a community disposal”,” he said.
“You have left me with no option. I have to denounce your actions and deter this kind of behaviour.”
