Drug runner tried to escape along Inverness station rail track
An alcoholic who took thousands of pounds worth of cocaine from Aberdeen to Inverness by train has been jailed.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard how Craig Maclean was pursued by police dog handlers along the railway track at Inverness Railway Station.
Depute fiscal Michelle Molley said Northern Constabulary officers and British Transport police were waiting for Maclean when he arrived at Inverness and got off the train on December 17. 2011.
She told the court: "The train arrived at Platform 3. The accused alighted and walked away from the officers who observed him jumping down from the platform and running along the track."
The fiscal said Maclean was carrying a rucksack and the police dog section gave chase and he was caught.
"Police were about to caution him when he said 'it's in the rucksack'," she said.
Maclean (38), described as a prisoner at Perth, admitted being in possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
He also admitted failing to appear for a hearing of the case at Inverness Sheriff Court on March 22, last year.
The fiscal said the cocaine was in three blocks weighing 120 grammes and had a potential street value of £6,400.
Eilidh Macdonald, solicitor, said at the time of the drugs offence Maclean had been living at Caley House in Inverness after a spell of homelessness and treatment at New Craigs for alcohol abuse.
He said the day before the offence he had been sober and had saved money with the intention of going into town to buy Christmas presents.
"He took a drink and proceeded to get drunk. He got into the company of someone who offered him a job to go to Aberdeen and collect the parcel in exchange for £200. Someone tipped off the police and once detained he cooperated fully with police."
Ms Macdonald said after his non-appearance in court Maclean got into a relationship and became a house husband because he was frightened to reveal himself to authorities and did not want to claim benefits.
"He intends to continue that relation after his release from prison," said Ms Macdonald.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson jailed Maclean for 27 months.
