A man caught red-handed with a holdall containing £2,500 worth of the synthetic drug MCAT has been spared a prison sentence.
Benjamin Grant, now 22, was just 20 when cops followed him in a taxi to an address in Fraserburgh where they found him with nearly 60g of the drug.
As Grant was searched by police they also found a set of knuckledusters and cocaine in his possession.
The driver of the taxi later turned up at a police station and handed in a black bag belonging to Grant that contained more than £6,000 in cash.
His solicitor told Aberdeen Sheriff Court that Grant had gone through a “sea change” and had turned his life around since his arrest nearly two years ago.
MCAT, also known as Meow Meow, is a powerful stimulant drug favoured by young people.
Officially referred to as Mephedrone, it is linked to deaths in the UK and Europe.
Accused appeared nervous as police approached him
Fiscal depute Carol Gammie told the court that police had spotted Grant in the backseat of a taxi heading through Fraserburgh on the morning of May 27 2020.
She said officers followed the taxi until it reached an address on Mid Street and Grant got out.
“Officers approached him. He appeared nervous and a strong smell of Mephedrone was coming from his person,” Ms Gammie said.
“He was then detained for a drugs search.
“Prior to the search beginning, he told police officers that there was MCAT in a holdall he had with him.”
A search was carried out with police finding a knuckleduster, £559 in cash, a mobile phone and a tub that appeared to contain drugs.
As Grant was arrested, a more thorough search found that the tub contained packages and a set of scales.
Within one of the packages was 57.91g of MCAT with an estimated street value of up to £2,565.
Another package contained 4.27g of cocaine with the potential to be worth £500 and another package filled with a bulking agent known to be used alongside cocaine.
As Grant was held in custody, the taxi driver who had taken him to Mid Street attended at Fraserburgh Police Station and handed in a black holdall that Grant had left in his boot.
It contained £6,220 in cash concealed within a sock.
Grant pleaded guilty to three charges, including being concerned in the supply of Mephedrone and cocaine.
He also admitted to being in possession of an offensive weapon.
‘You were immature when you committed these offences’
Defence agent Sam Milligan told the court that his client had experienced “something of a sea change” since his arrest almost two years ago.
He added: “He has taken significant strides and has a job and stable relationship now.
“He has also not come to the attention of the authorities since then.”
Sheriff Graham Buchanan told Grant that this was “undoubtedly a serious offence”.
But he added: “You have made great strides and it is hoped that you will not be troubling the court again.
“I recognise that you are still young and were immature when you committed these offences and if I sentence you to prison now it might have a devastating effect on you.”
Sheriff Buchanan also stated that due to new guidance that came in on January 26 this year he must consider any alternative to custody for offenders under the age of 25.
The guideline requires courts to have regard to rehabilitation as a primary consideration in sentencing people of that age group, in recognition of their greater capacity for change.
As an alternative to prison, Sheriff Buchanan handed Grant, of Gray Street, Fraserburgh, a community payback order with 18 months of supervision.
He also ordered Grant to carry out 260 hours of unpaid work.
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