A drug dealer whose life was saved by paramedics after he overdosed had a “huge wake-up call”, a court has heard.
Finlay McLeay said he’s “so thankful” that emergency workers broke down his door to save him – despite them finding almost £2,500 of Class A drugs in his Aberdeen flat.
The cocaine and heroin were discovered after concerned Stockethill neighbours told police they hadn’t seen 29-year-old McLeay for a while, Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard.
He’d fallen off the wagon after blowing more than £1,000 of benefits on drugs that he intended consuming and selling, McLeay’s solicitor said.
Fiscal depute Lydia Kerr said officers paid a welfare check visit to McLeay’s Oldcroft Road flat on November 9 last year.
“There was no response from within and they spoke with neighbours and it was established he was last seen to be heavily under the influence of controlled drugs,” she said.
“They obtained a phone number and called him and heard it ringing within the flat.
“Concerned for him, they forced entry. They found the accused unconscious and believers to be suffering from a drug overdose.”
Found Class A drugs and cash
Paramedics were called and a search warrant for McLeay’s flat was sought.
A later search uncovered 24g of heroin and 12g of cocaine with street values of £1,280 and £1,180, respectively.
£835 in cash was also found.
When McLeay had recovered, after spending two days in hospital, he confirmed during an interview that the drugs were his and he had been selling them to others.
Defence agent Lisa Riley said her client had a significant history of drug misuse but hadn’t used them in a while before this offence.
“However, he got a back payment of benefits totalling more than £1,000. He had never had that value of money before,” she said.
“He spiralled slightly.
“He came into money. The purchase and dealings were opportunistic.”
‘Living a completely different life’
The solicitor passed on McLeay’s thanks to those he credited with saving his life and giving him a wake-up call.
“He says the paramedics saved his life,” she added. “He says on this occasion he is so thankful police attended when they did. This has been a huge wake-up call for him.
“He clearly takes full responsibility for his behaviour. He is living a completely different life now.”
McLeay, of Oldcroft Place, Aberdeen, admitted two charges of being concerned in the supply of controlled Class A drugs.
Sheriff Lesley Johnston handed him 120 hours of unpaid work and a 12-month supervision order as a direct alternative to custody.
She also granted the Crown’s motion for forfeiture of the cash found.
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