A Moray drug dealer has been spared a prison sentence after telling a court he only sold illegal substances to his friends.
Dylan Richards, from Forres, supplied cannabis from his home in Mosset Court between April 16 and May 10, 2017.
The 27-year-old appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court to admit being involved in the supply of drugs.
His solicitor Stephen Carty argued that money generated by his client was used solely to fund his own habit, rather than supporting a commercial enterprise.
Mr Carty said: “At the time Mr Richards was using drugs himself.
“He was concerned in the supply of these drugs to a very small group of people who were known to him, which is distinguishable from him selling them to anyone willing to buy them.
“My submission is that this is a supply charge at the lower end of the scale. I appreciate that the supply of any drug is a serious matter.”
Richards also admitted a charge of possessing a loaded imitation pistol on Tytler Street on May 10, 2017 as well as a further charge of failing to appear at Elgin Sheriff Court on May 29 last year.
Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov said: “I have considered the gravity of the offences but I am also mindful of the steps you have taken since this period of time – at one stage gaining employment and staying away from offending.”
Richards was ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work, was placed under supervision for 12 months and given a 245-day curfew.
