A man who ran a “friendly local cannabis corner shop” – only to be caught when he sold the drug to a 14-year-old schoolboy – has been jailed.
Kieran Howe was caught after police were tipped off to the sale he made to the youth – and raided his flat in Arbroath a few days later.
They discovered he had been selling the drug to “anyone who came to the door”.
Facebook messages were also found that showed he had been selling the drug via the social media site.
Howe is now starting an eight month prison sentence after a sheriff told him: “Whether you intended to target children or not is neither here nor there.”
Fiscal depute Saima Rasheed told Dundee Sheriff Court that the boy had been found with £30 worth of cannabis and said he had bought it from Howe.
She said: “Due to further intelligence officers were granted a search warrant for his home address.”
Miss Rasheed added that police found cannabis, drug paraphernalia and cash as well as tick lists relating to his customers.
She added: “He admitted selling cannabis but said he was unaware it was to a school child.
“They also recovered an air weapon that was designed to discharge pellets. Ammunition was also recovered that was suitable for use with it.
“Facebook messages were also found that showed he was involved in the sale and supply of cannabis.”
Howe, 23, of Ernest Street, Arbroath, pleaded guilty on indictment to being concerned in the supply of cannabis between January 19 and January 30 this year at his home address.
He further admitted possessing an air weapon without a certificate on January 30 this year.
Defence solicitor Grant Bruce said: “It was a business – but it was extremely naive and not very well thought through.
“A friend had suggested he would sell cannabis to friends and it grew arms and legs.”
Sheriff Alastair Brown jailed Howe for eight months.
He said: “You were selling something which was prohibited for good reason. You sold the stuff to a child.
“Whether you intended to target children or not is neither here nor there.”
