East Dunbartonshire man caught with class A haul behind bars

A man caught with a haul of class A drugs during a raid in an upmarket area has been jailed for four and a half years.

John McAteer was held after cocaine and heroin was discovered at the property in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire in July 2015.

Police initially found mobile phones, cash, scales and knotted bags at the house where the 51-year old's partner lived.

McAteer, now of Old Kilpatrick, West Dumbartonshire, then told officers "items" were hidden in a pool table and a safe in a converted games room outside.

Heroin was discovered before cocaine was found in a garden shed.

Some of the drugs were described as "importation purity".

The consignments had a total value of just under £57,000.

McAteer had been due to plead guilty at a hearing last year, but the case was continued after it emerged his son had died in a car accident.

He eventually pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of the drugs last month at the High Court in Glasgow.

Paul Nelson, defending, said McAteer had suffered "one of the worst things to go through as an adult" having to bury his child.

McAteer, 51, who has three previous convictions for drugs offences claimed he was merely looking after the drugs, but judge Lord Clark told him : “That is hard to accept.'

Lord Clark added: “When the search of your home was carried out quantities of diamorphine and cocaine were found, with a street value of up to £56,890.

“Also found were quantities of the common adulterants, used to bulk out such drugs, along with apparatus commonly used by those involved in the onward supply of drugs - scales, polythene bags, razor blades and latex gloves.”

McAteer admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine at 17 Annick Drive, Bearsden between July 16 and 22, 2015.

Lord Clark added: “I accept that, you had difficulties in your childhood and that you have suffered personal tragedies.

“However, none of these things can justify or excuse your involvement in the supply of Class A drugs, which as you must know cause real harm, indeed havoc, to the lives of individuals and to communities.”