Two men jailed for selling drugs at Inverness music festival
Kevin McLorinan and James McGinley were sentenced to eight months behind bars
Last updated 12th Apr 2018
Two men have been jailed for selling drugs at the Groove music festival in Inverness last year.
Kevin McLorinan, 32, of Airdrie and James McGinley, 31, of Glasgow both pleaded guilty to supplying of cocaine at Inverness Sheriff Court in February.
Both men were arrested after their tent was searched at the Groove festival at Dores in August 2017 by officers working at the event.
Drugs worth around £1,500 and cash in excess of £1,800 was seized during the search.
McLorinan and McGinley were sentenced at Inverness Sheriff Court today to eight months imprisonment each.
Police Scotland event commander Chief Inspector Colin Gough said: "While the vast majority of those attending Groove enjoyed the event in a responsible manner, it is disappointing that McLorinan and McGinley thought they could get away with selling drugs on the site.
"In agreement with and with support from our partners, we were very clear in the lead-up to the event that we would not tolerate any drugs at any music festival in the Highlands and hopefully the conviction of these two men reinforces that message ahead of this summer's events.
"It should be noted that the information which led to the tent being searched came from concerned festival goers which we are grateful for.
"Drugs have the potential to ruin lives, let alone weekends. You are not being a kill-joy by reporting concerns to us, you are thinking about the safety of others at the festival.
"We look forward to supporting this year's Groove festival and working with the organisers to continue to deliver a safe event."
Dougie Brown of Groove said: “As a festival we work closely with Police Scotland and other agencies to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for festival-goers.
“It is disappointing that these two individuals did not listen to the warnings put out ahead of the event with regards to our zero tolerance stance on drugs at the festival, but we must praise the work of Police Scotland, Showsec and vigilant festival goers in reporting their concerns resulting in this conviction.