A former soldier convicted of supplying heroin is expecting his “gravely ill” mum to pass away while he is serving his jail sentence.
Scott Connolly, 42, of St Columba Gardens, Downfield, was jailed for 16 months by Sheriff McGowan after allowing his home to be used as a “safe house” for drug dealers.
The court heard 22.1g of heroin worth more than £2,200 was found under the floorboards in his bathroom after police raided his home following a tip-off.
Connolly admitted that on December 4, at 4 St Columba Gardens, he was concerned in the supplying of diamorphine.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told the court police searched his house and found items inside a hole in front of the toilet. A bag containing brown powder was recovered and was found to be heroin.
“A Nokia mobile telephone was also recovered and taken to Tayside division HQ,” Ms Robertson said. “A text message sent on November 30 was found, saying ‘Mate it’s gone, good stuff mate, very good mate’.”
Solicitor Kris Gilmartin said Connolly had a drug debt of around £200 and was told it would be wiped out if he provided a “safe house” for two days.
“He accepted knowing he was taking a risk,” Mr Gilmartin said. “These were not his drugs to sell on. He doesn’t have the means to do that.
“There was no other drugs paraphernalia in the house, the message on the mobile telephone was in relation to drugs he had bought and taken. It was a sent message not a received one.”
He added: “He is a former soldier and had suffered problems adjusting to civilian life after being released from the rmy.
“He held down a job for several years but turned to alcohol and drugs and became a heroin addict from 2002 to the present day.
“It has ruined his life, his mother is gravely ill and he expects that she will pass away while he’s in prison.”
In handing down the sentence, Sheriff McGowan said a custodial sentence was inevitable.