Army service helps East Kilbride drugs supplier avoid prison
A former soldier caught with drugs worth £17,000 was told his military service had helped save him from jail.
Christopher Martin, 32, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis at his home in Montreal Park, East Kilbride, on March 19 last year.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard police searched the three-bedroom terraced house after a tip-off.
When they arrived Martin was present along with his partner and two children.
Nine small bags of white powder were found in the kitchen along with a block of cocaine that was discovered behind a microwave oven.
Sinead Corrigan, prosecuting, said: "The cocaine weighed 300g in total and had a value of £15,000.
"A vacuum-packed bag of herbal cannabis weighing 1kg and worth £2,000 was also found along with a jotter containing names and numbers."
Defence lawyer Andy Thomson said Martin had developed post-traumatic stress disorder after army tours in Afghanistan and Cyprus.
Mr Thomson told the court: "This led him into alcohol and drugs consumption.
"He found himself owing money because of his addiction and the only way out was to become involved in the onward supply of drugs.
"His role was principally packaging and storing. There was no financial gain apart from the reduction of his £6,000 debt."
Sheriff John Speir told Martin: "Drug dealers are a scourge on society and this offence is a serious one.
"Very much on a margin, I'm persuaded to take an exceptional view in your case, not least because of your background in serving your country.
"I also take account of your current commitments and what appears to be engagement in rehabilitation. That will be of benefit to society as a whole and you as an individual."
Martin was placed under social work supervision for two years and ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid community work.
He will be confined to his home from 8pm to 7am each day under a nine-month electronic tagging order.
After hearing that Martin is earning £800 a week in a telecommunications job, the sheriff also fined him £2,675.
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