An Ayr man has been jailed for five years and 219 days after an overdose led police to a major heroin seizure at his home.
Robert Young, 52, was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday after pleading guilty to supplying diamorphine. Police recovered 614.8 grams of heroin from his address at Nursery Hall in Ayr on October 26 last year.
The drugs had an estimated value of between £14,120 and £16,920. Officers also found £26,920 in cash, separated into bags containing ten-pound notes.
Overdose led police to the property
The court heard that an ambulance crew found Young unresponsive at his home after a drug overdose. He had a clear plastic bag, a pipe containing brown powder and was later taken to Ayr Hospital before being transferred to Crosshouse.
Police were contacted and searched Young. They found four wraps and a mobile phone containing incoming messages. Officers then attended his home using keys after nobody was there.
Inside, police found two self-sealed bags, further bags containing drugs and two bowls with brown powder. They also recovered a roll of tinfoil, freezer bags and paper listing names and numbers.
Defence cited addiction and debt
Defence advocate Allan Macleod told the court that Young had struggled with drug addiction throughout his adult life, although he had experienced a period of abstinence in 2020.
The court was told Young had been approached by someone to whom he owed £55,000 and asked to potentially transport the drugs for sale. His defence said he understood he would receive a lengthy prison sentence and wanted to use his time in custody as a last chance.
Macleod also described how Young had been involved in a motorcycle accident at the age of 18 while taking part in the Scottish championships. He was given diamorphine in hospital and later began taking it illicitly.
Judge warns of danger from heroin
Judge Lord Frank Mulholland said Young had pleaded guilty to trafficking heroin, describing it as a highly addictive drug that ruins users’ lives. The judge also noted that Young was subject to the three-strikes rule because he was no stranger to drug trafficking.
Young’s sentence was reduced from seven years because of his guilty plea. He replied “Thank you, your honour” before being taken into custody.