A Perth drug dealer, caught with almost £2500 worth of high-quality cocaine at a city flat, has been jailed for five months.
Perth Sheriff Court heard that 22-year-old Suniel Rashid, of Andrew Heiton Court, was peddling the class A substance while he was on bail for a similar offence.
Sheriff Neil Bowie told him: “That is a matter of considerable concern as you were subject to a bail order at the time in respect of a directly analogous matter.
“You continued with this criminal conduct, which is viewed by the court as a serious matter.
“You no doubt accept the damage drugs can do to the community.
“I have come to the view there is no alternative to a custodial sentence.”
Sentence on Rashid had been deferred to monitor his progress on a Community Payback Order imposed last August..
The latest incident took place at a house in Perth 's Dunkeld Road on March 5, 2020, when he admitted being concerned in the supply of the class A drug.
He was subject to a June 24, 2019, bail order from Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court at the time.
Not guilty pleas were accepted to further charges of being in possession of cannabis and having a number of counterfeit Bank of England £50 notes in his control.
Depute fiscal Andrew Harding told the court that police turned up at the flat with a search warrant about 10.40am that day.
“The accused answered the door and allowed them entry.”
A search of the bedroom led to officers seizing three wraps, weighing 10 grammes, 7.7 grammes and seven grammes.
A set of scales, with white powder on them, were also recovered.
The powder later tested positive for cocaine.
A solicitor for the accused said: “He takes full responsibility for this.”
He had just 18 hours of unpaid work left to complete after a community payback order was imposed last August for drug dealing.
He pointed out his client has a young family, is in full-time work and would “welcome” further support by way of a community-based sentence.
The earlier drugs offence had taken place between May 17 and June 21, 2019.
A separate Proceeds of Crime action, where the prosecution are seeking to claw back cash obtained by the accused from his illegal activities, was continued to August 25.
