Police called to a neighbour dispute at a Perth block of flats uncovered an illicit cannabis farm worth £2,000.
David McDougall led officers to his criminal cultivation and said: “I take it I’m going to court then?”
The 25-year-old appeared in the dock this week and admitted producing a class B drug at his flat in Newhouse Road, Perth, on July 25, 2021.
He also pled guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, likely to cause fear or alarm, by shouting, swearing and uttering threats of violence while brandishing a dog chain.
Dog chain vs mug
Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson told Perth Sheriff Court: “At around 10.30pm, an exchange of words was overheard between the accused and another male.
“It was suggested that they were planning to do harm to someone.”
Later that night, McDougall was seen menacing a man in the communal hallway.
“The accused took out a dog chain from his pocket and put it above his head to intimidate the witness,” said Ms Wilkinson.
“The witness threw a mug at the accused before running away.”
McDougall told him: “I’m still going to f***ing do you in. You better watch out.”
The victim said that police had been contacted.
McDougall replied: “Fine”.
Plants found inside tent
Officers later turned up at his flat and recovered the dog chain from a bedroom chest of drawers.
The fiscal depute said: “The accused openly stated that there were cannabis plants within the flat.
“He said several plants were fully grown and the rest had been harvested a few months ago.”
McDougall said to police: “I take it I’m going to court then?”
Eight plans were found in the property inside a tent, under lights.
Ms Wilkinson said the combined value of the crop was between £1,600 and £2,000.
Solicitor Pauline Cullerton said the initial argument that drew police to the property was connected to an outstanding debt.
“A neighbour had threatened to stab Mr McDougall if he tried to assault his friend,” she said.
McDougall was a first offender, she said.
Sheriff Gillian Wade imposed a structured deferred sentence to be reviewed in the new year.
McDougall was told to carry out unpaid work and engage in the Right Track Programme for young offenders.
“It is important you carry out as much of the work as you can,” the sheriff told him.
