A Fife drug dealer caught with five kilos of cannabis whooped and celebrated outside court after he narrowly avoided imprisonment.
Aaron Hebner, from Kincardine, was caught with up to £18,000 of cannabis when his car was stopped by police in Rosyth.
Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard the 43-year-old had 5kg of the class B drug in his Ford Fiesta on September 28 2021.
At a sentencing hearing, he was handed the highest available unpaid work order as a direct alternative to custody.
He celebrated loudly on the steps outside court.
Caught by police
Last month, fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie told Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court: “Within the vehicle, police observed a black rucksack containing a white bag, full of blocks of a brown substance.
“There were five plastic wraps, each containing eight blocks of brown resinous material.
“There were 40 blocks in total, weighing 5kg.
“The street value is most likely between £14,000 and £18,000.”
Hebner admitted being concerned in the supply of drugs at the Shell garage in Rosyth.
Returning to the dock for sentencing, Hebner arrived with a backpack prepared for potential imprisonment.
His lawyer asked Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane to consider alternatives to custody and handed her a letter from Hebner’s ex-partner outlining her health difficulties and his other responsibilities.
Hebner’s solicitor said: “The report indicates an alternative would be available.
“There may be some merit in a non-custodial disposal.
“There’s a background to how Mr Hebner became involved in this particular offence.
“He does accept full responsibility for his involvement.”
Direct alternative
As a direct alternative to jail, Sheriff McFarlane ordered Hebner to complete 300 hours of unpaid work – the maximum available – within a year.
Hebner will also be supervised during that time.
The sheriff told Hebner that the discount for his early plea was that he would be keeping his liberty.
“Mr Hebner, I don’t think I could be criticised for sending you to prison today,” she said.
“This is a good report. You accept full responsibility for what has happened.
“There are cogent reasons for how you got involved in this in the first place.”
Leaving court, Hebner whooped and celebrated on the steps and punched the air.
For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.
