Man jailed after 'palm print' found on packaging of cocaine seized in Galashiels

A 36-year-old man has been jailed for 14 months after police found more than a kilo of cocaine in a car in Galashiels.

Alan Skedzielewski - from East Dunbartonshire - was not present in the vehicle when it was stopped in the town's Melrose Road on the afternoon of September 9th, 2021.

But Selkirk Sheriff Court today (Monday) heard his "palm print" was found on blue polythene packaging containing the Class A drug, which was valued at between £54,000 and £217,000.

And police officers - who had been acting on intelligence - charged Skedzielewski when they tracked him down two years later.

Skedzielewski, who gave an address in Milton of Campsie, previously admitted being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug.

And Sheriff Peter Paterson - noting the "substantial amount" - warned him custody was "the most likely outcome".

Garage supervisor theft

A court's today heard a 35-year-old man helped himself to around £4,500 worth of cash and stock while working at a filling station in Galashiels.

Peter Dawe, from Innerleithen, was employed as a supervisor at Wilderhaugh Service Station when he pocketed scratch cards, cigarettes, and alcohol during his shift - without paying.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard his employer became suspicious when they noticed discrepancies in the store's ATM.

On one occasion in April, Dawe was captured on CCTV taking a can of cider from a display area, pouring it into a coffee cup and drinking it at the counter.

His solicitor, Ed Hulme, said his client had struggled with cocaine and alcohol misuse at the time of the theft but has since sought help for his behaviour.

Dawe has been ordered to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work, as a direct alternative to custody.

However, no compensation order was made after the court heard the garage withheld his last month's pay when the offence came to light earlier this year.

'Reprehensible'

A 26-year-old man who admitted attempting to meet a 15-year-old girl in Galashiels to engage in unlawful sexual activity has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for two years.

Alasdair Saunders, from Stow, asked the youngster to meet him at the side of the Volunteer Hall where, he said, there were less cameras, after striking up a conversation with her on SnapChat. 

But Selkirk Sheriff Court heard he sped off in his car when he was approached by the teenager's mum, who had been alerted to the chat, on July the 28th this year. 

Saunders' solicitor, Ed Hulme, said his client had turned to the internet after struggling to make friendships face-to-face.

He told the court Saunders had "probably" been suffering from depression at the time, and that his behaviour was "out of character".

But Mr Hulme added: "He has expressed considerable shame, regret and remorse for his actions."

Passing sentence, Sheriff Peter Paterson described Saunders' conduct as "reprehensible". 

In addition to the unpaid work, Saunders was also made the subject of supervision for two years.

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