A Scots roofer who was caught sending drugs into a maximum security jail because he was a regular at the Post Office has dodged a prison sentence.
Roy Ainslie hid cocaine inside a Playstation controller but the package was traced back to him because staff at the branch recognised him as a customer.
Ainslie was fined £5,000 but was allowed to walk free from court as a sheriff told him he was being given an "exceptional" sentence for a drug dealer.
Sheriff Euan Duthie said: "When you send drugs into a prison, you can expect to go to jail. It's that straightforward.
"However, I do note you are not a central figure in the supply line. You are peripheral at best. Quite exceptionally, I'm prepared not to impose a custodial sentence.
"If you breach any of the requirements, a custodial sentence is inevitable. This is an exceptional disposal."
The sheriff ordered Ainslie to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and placed him under supervision for a year. Ainslie was also placed on a six-month curfew.
Perth Sheriff Court heard how Ainslie had posted the package - containing £840 of cocaine - from the local branch of the Post Office close to his home.
Ainslie, 44 [15-3-77], Cairneyhill, Fife, admitted that between 8 and 12 July 2020 he was concerned in the supply of cocaine at Perth Prison.
Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney told Perth Sheriff Court: "Prison officers were working within the reception area where they screen packages.
"A package addressed to Scott Flynn was X-rayed and appeared to be a Playstation controller. They were suspicious about items which appeared to be within the controller.
"They suspected it contained controlled drugs and it was reported to police. The controller was opened and they found three wraps containing white powder and rocks.
"It was field tested and found positive as cocaine. It was traced back and inquiries were carried out at the Post Office it had been posted from.
"The postmistress stated she had served the accused. She knew him by name as he was a frequent visitor to the Post Office and resided nearby.
"Contact was made with him and he handed himself in. He made full admissions. He said he received the parcels from another and it was an act of stupidity."
His solicitor said: "Quite frankly, he's terrified of the prospect [of prison]. He works with his brother. His father built up the business.
"They're primarily roofers. From a health and safety perspective, they have to work as a pair. Mr Ainslie is the primary carer for his father.
"He appreciates that he has jeopardised that with his own conduct. I think it would be fair to say that Mr Ainslie has been struggling with issues. He had turned to alcohol and recreational drugs.
"It was a short term fix and has given him a longer term problem to deal with. He has had genuine difficulties. He's never going to get over that hill unless he deals with it.
"It does seem isolated. It does seem out of character. This sort of offence is more associated with a lengthier and more related record. There's not a debt issue.
"He was a man who was not making good decisions or sensible decision at that time. He seems to otherwise be a productive member of society. The gravity of this matter is obviously not lost on Mr Ainslie."
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