A drug dealing former paratrooper who flaunted his champagne lifestyle after fleeing Scottish justice has been jailed for nearly two years and nine months.
Security consultant Christopher Lawson jumped bail and toured the world for three years after being caught with £15,000-worth of cocaine.
Yesterday at Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Tom Hughes told Lawson he had to be jailed because he had taken up drug dealing simply because he enjoyed a luxury lifestyle.
“You were a person who served his country and you were injured on active service, then you went on to work as a security consultant abroad for several years.
“What makes matters worse is that you then went on to get involved in criminal activity. You are someone who should have known better.
“It appears to be quite clear that your reason for being involved in this is that you enjoyed the lifestyle that came with having lots of money.
“These cause horrendous problems in society.”
Lawson – who was shot in the line of duty in Afghanistan – regularly updated his social media with pictures from countries he visited including Tanzania, Cambodia, Holland and the UAE.
He was arrested at a London airport when he returned to the UK in June this year.
The 36-year-old was caught with £14,700-worth of cocaine and a knife after being involved in a high speed crash on the A92 in Fife on December 4 2016.
He claimed he had crashed because he was “emotional” after breaking up with his partner.
Fiscal depute Sue Ruta said: “Witnesses observed the accused driving his Audi A5 dangerously and at excessive speed. He continuously encroached the opposing carriageway.
“He collided with a car in the opposing carriageway. He was seen to get out of the vehicle and take items to put them in the bushes.
“He returned to the car and was seen to do it a second time before being challenged by the witnesses.”
She told the court several empty holdalls were found in the car and police dog Iggy led officers to the items Lawson had stashed in the bushes.
Lawson’s DNA was found on the handle and the drug bag. Lawson, of Charleston Drive, Dundee, was arrested and first appeared on petition at Dundee Sheriff Court the following day.
He then appeared on September 26 2017, but failed to turn up for trial on October 26 because he had fled the country.
Solicitor Paul Parker-Smith, defending, said Lawson had been working as a private security consultant in Dubai, where he “had made his fortune.”
Mr Parker-Smith said his client had lost his military discipline and had become involved with recreational drugs after leaving the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment.
Lawson admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, having a knife and driving dangerously in Fife in 2016.
Sheriff Hughes also banned Lawson from driving for 12 months and ordered him to resit the extended driving test.
