A self-proclaimed “cannabis connoisseur” has been jailed after police uncovered a huge drugs haul worth nearly £10,000 at his Perth flat.
Garage worker Gary Winton tried to convince a jury the massive stash – almost a kilo – was for his personal use.
He told jurors he bought his weed in bulk and advised them which blends were best for waking you up in the morning and which ones could help you sleep at night.
Winton, 31, was locked up for 18 months when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court, despite a plea for leniency.
Sheriff William Wood told him: “I’ve given this matter some considerable thought.
“It is true that you appear before the court as a first offender.
“But a jury has found you guilty of being concerned in the supply of a class B drug, despite your protestations.”
He said: “Your explanation that you were a connoisseur of the drug may be partly true.
“But the jury did not accept that you bought in bulk, given your limited salary.
“That is what made your claims implausible and incredible.”
The sheriff also questioned Winton’s assertion he used weighing scales to weigh his daily use.
“The long and short of it is that you have been convicted of being concerned in the supply of a considerable quantity of drugs.
“Given the scale and value involved, only a custodial sentence would be appropriate.”
As he was handcuffed, Winton smiled and said: “Cheers.”
Smoked half-an-ounce each day
Solicitor Linda Clark tried to persuade the sheriff not to jail her client.
“This is not someone who would be likely to come back before the court.
“Given his lack of record and that this was a one-day offence involving a class B substance, I would suggest that it could be dealt with by way of a non-custodial sentence.”
The trial heard police raided Winton’s Gowrie Street home on March 4 2019.
As well as finding several tubs of cannabis, they uncovered scales and plastic snap-bags with traces of the drug.
Winton told jurors he bought his drugs using money he made fixing and building vintage bicycles.
He said the scales were used to weigh bike parts, while the bags were used to hold small bolts and nuts.
When cross-examined by fiscal depute Michael Dunlop, Winton admitted he also used the scales to weigh cannabis “to know how much I’m smoking in a day”.
The trial heard Winton had been using weed for 10 years and was – he claims – smoking about half-an-ounce each day.
“You love to smoke cannabis, don’t you?” asked Mr Dunlop.
“Yes, it’s true,” Winton replied.
Favourite flavours
During his police interview, Winton refused to name his supplier.
He said: “I’m honest up until the point I get someone in trouble.
“I know the people I buy it from and we have a trusting relationship.”
Winton told the trial: “I would consider myself a connoisseur.
“It was all for personal use.”
He reeled off the names of some “flavours” he used at different times of the day, such as Stardog, Nebula and Gelato.
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