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Inverness drug dealer sentenced after police forced their way into house





Police were blocked from gaining entry to the property.
Police were blocked from gaining entry to the property.

Two Inverness men have been ordered to carry out unpaid hours of work in the community after being arrested when police had to force their way into a house in the city where they suspected drugs would be inside.

At a previous hearing, Inverness Sheriff Court heard that 31-year-old Duncan Murdoch, of Stornoway Drive, Inverness tried to keep the door shut as the officers attempted to gain entry to the Tomnahurich Street address on the evening of August 4, 2022.

Inside were five people, including Murdoch and teenager Zachary Matthews, who is now aged 20. He struggled violently with police as he was being arrested.

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Matthews, of St Margaret's Road, Inverness was searched and a green herbal substance, money and keys were found on him. He also dropped mobile phones, fiscal depute Susan Love told Sheriff Gary Aitken.

She added: "The other occupants were also searched. A systematic search of the property was thereafter carried out and further drug paraphernalia and drugs were found.

"The accused, Matthews, in his police interview stated that he had went there to buy smoke and said he had only been there for a few moments prior to police arrival.

"The mobile phone belonging to Matthews was forensically analysed and messages showed him involved in the supply of cannabis were discovered."

A total of 33.74 grams of cannabis was found with a street value of around £550. Murdoch admitted obstructing a lawful drugs search and Matthews pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Matthews solicitor Duncan Henderson asked the court not to impose a custodial sentence on his client: "Given the value of the drugs, this is at the bottom end of the scale. But he accepts he was a cog."

Matthews was ordered to be under social work supervision for a year and do 160 hours of work. Murdoch was represented by Shahid Latif who also asked for a non-custodial disposal.

"He has made changes and moved away from his criminal friends," Mr Latif told the sheriff who ordered his client to carry out 120 hours and be under supervision for a year.


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