Drug dealer banged up

Jun 26 2012 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

A MAN caught in possession of a huge stash of Diazepam tablets has been jailed for five months.

Callum McKenzie _ who had had previously been jailed for over five years at the High Court for crimes involving firearms – was hauled back behind bars after offending again while out early on licence.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard how the parole board revoked McKenzie’s licence and recalled him to serve a portion of the unexpired sentence.

Now he has had another five-month stretch added to his record.

The 32-year-old was arrested in Renfrew town centre when police on mobile patrol saw he was heavily under the influence of drink or drugs, could barely stand, and had difficulty talking when they spoke to him.

A search revealed him to be in possession of a large number of Diazepam tablets and a “tick list” showing names against cash sums was also retrieved to indicate he had been peddling the pills to others.

The court was told that the accused was arrested and the bag seized was found to contain 386 blue tablets.

He had been intercepted in Renfrew’s Dunlop Street, on December 16 last year.

Depute fiscal Ian Logan said that police on foot patrol were suspicious when they saw the accused staggering and clearly heavily under the influence of drink or drugs at 3.30pm on the day in question.

When they spoke to him, his speech was slurred and he “was struggling to keep his eyes open”.

McKenzie, it was stated, had been released early from jail in January last year. He was originally sentenced to 63 months imprisonment for firearms offences at the High Court in Edinburgh in March, 2008.

Asked to explain his possession of the tablets, he told them he was addicted to them and had been able to make a bulk purchase, but after they found the handwritten note containing names and cash sums, it was apparent he had been dealing.

McKenzie admitted unlawful possession of Diazepam with intent to supply to others.

After studying the accused’s record and considering all of the background circumstances, Sheriff Tom McCartney imposed the five-month jail term.