Inverness drug-dealer 'has done everything to turn his life around'

A third man who was involved in drug dealing from an Inverness house at the same time as two others has been sentenced.

Martial arts tutor Gary Devlin (39), of Cuthbert Road, Inverness appeared before Sheriff Ian Cruickshank after a background report had been prepared.

It was not available when Devlin's co-accused were dealt with earlier this month.

He had admitted being concerned in the supply of cannabis and a further charge of possession an unlicensed air weapon.

The court had previously been told that the trio dealt drugs separately from the same house for over a year and were caught following a police raid.

The search occurred on September 20, 2019 when 39-year-old John Sutherland and Devlin were lodging in the house in Kintail Crescent, Inverness.

The property was occupied by 38-year-old Kenneth MacIver and the two co-accused previously admitted being concerned in the supply of drugs between September 2018 and September 2019.

However, Sheriff Ian Cruickshank decided to deal with the other two accused because there was no connection between their drugs enterprise.

The court heard that police recovered 451g of cannabis with a maximum street value of £5961 from Devlin's room.

They also found an air pistol which was not functional.

His solicitor advocate Clare Russell told the court her client got involved to fund his own habit.

"He has done everything to turn his life around and is back in employment as a landscaper, working long hours," she said.

Ms Russell added that Devlin had returned to teaching martial arts.

The court had been told that MacIver's drugs were 14,861 Etizolam tablets with a street value of between £2700 and £7740.

No drugs were found connected to Sutherland, now of Lodge Avenue, Inverness. But police seized his mobile phone and found messages which showed he was involved in the supply of cannabis.

MacIver was ordered to be under social work supervision for a year and told to carry out 180 hours of unpaid community work. Sutherland was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and Devlin was told to do 180 hours of unpaid work.