An East Kilbride man sold cannabis on the street in a “desperate” bid to make ends meet. Peter Rennie, 64, was caught when police officers spotted him doing a deal with a car passenger.
Rennie, formerly of Glen Tennet, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week. He admitted supplying cannabis to a woman in Glen Ogilvie, East Kilbride, on October 10 last year.
Police patrol spotted the deal
Megan McGurk, prosecuting, said plain clothes officers were on patrol around 3pm when they saw Rennie standing beside the passenger window of a parked car. She told the court: “They saw items being handed over, approached the vehicle and identified themselves. “The accused was searched and found to have a snap bag containing 4g of herbal material. He also had £25 in mixed notes. “He appeared nervous and said ‘I’m doing a bit of selling to make money’.”
Defence says he was desperate
Defence lawyer Andy Brophy said Rennie also told the officers that he was earning £55 a day by selling cannabis and “it’s still not covering my rent”. Mr Brophy said the dad of three had worked as a taxi driver but lost his job after being disqualified and “had no income whatsoever”. The solicitor added: “It’s unusual that someone of his age finds himself in court for this type of thing. “He is deeply ashamed and has certainly learned a lesson.”
Sheriff acknowledges low-level offence
Sheriff Shirley McKenna told Rennie: “It sounds to me that you were in a desperate situation. “You have no previous convictions for anything like this. Given that and your age, I accept this is at the lower end of the scale.” Rennie, who now lives in Stirlingshire, was fined £470.
