SHERIFF COURT: Strathdon man Nicholas McIntosh caught with £1200 worth of cocaine in Carrbridge
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A Strathdon man has been spared jail after he was caught with more than £1000 worth of cocaine in his car by police.
Nicholas McIntosh (40) was found parked up on Carr Road, Carrbridge, on July 20 last year, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.
Fiscal depute Shamela Ghafar said police were on mobile patrol and noticed him sitting in a grey Land Rover and they had reason to speak to him.
She said: “When they spoke to the accused there was a strong smell of cannabis coming from inside the car.”
This prompted a police search and instead they found more than 27 grams of cocaine worth around £1200 inside the vehicle.
Solicitor David Patterson said his client was in full time employment and would be facing disciplinary proceedings.
Mr Patterson added: “During lockdown he was not working and it started as a habit and went from there.
“He bought a large quantity to avoid having to go to dealers repeatedly.
“He has since ceased all use.”
McIntosh, of Poldhullie Cottages, was put on a community payback order with an element of supervision for one year.
He was also told to carry out 90 hours of unpaid work in the community.
The sentence was a direct alternative to prison.
