A drug dealer in his seventies was found with nearly £90,000-worth of heroin that had been wrapped inside a leopardskin dress.
Perthshire pensioner John Williamson, 73, was convicted of stashing the substantial haul of heroin because he had failed to launder his shorts.
A jury was told that the drugs had been wrapped first in the blue striped shorts and that Williamson’s DNA was clearly identified on the inside of the clothing.
They were told that if the shorts had been washed before using them to conceal the drug consignment, then they would not have been so clearly linked to Williamson.
The jury at Perth Sheriff Court was told that the shorts were found on a shelf in a cupboard and the drugs were found inside a box wrapped in the leopard-print dress.
Inside the box were 13 packages containing heroin, folded up inside Williamson’s shorts.
The haul of drugs was said to have a potential street value of £88,000.
Williamson, of Manse Crescent, Stanley, was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of diamorphine at his home on December 23 2014.
Scottish Police Authority forensic scientist Barry Mitchell told the trial: “Potentially there was a different person’s DNA on the outside to the inside of the shorts.
“There was a mixed profile, indicating that there was DNA from more than one person. The DNA on the inside of the shorts may have arisen from the wearer of the shorts.
“There was a major contributor. We established that John Williamson could be that male major contributor.
“The test is extremely reliable and accepted globally.
“We would not have expected that DNA to have persisted through washing or laundering. If the item was washed, we would not expect the DNA to persist. If kept in good condition it could persist almost indefinitely.”
Depute fiscal Gavin Letford told the jury that the evidence against Williamson was circumstantial and that there was no dispute that the drugs had been found at his home.
He said it was also beyond dispute that the amount involved almost a kilo meant it was being stored for onward supply.
“The accused’s DNA was found on the shorts,” Mr Letford told the jury. “They were the shorts used to wrap up these 13 packages. That is not disputed.
“The only DNA on the shorts that found a match belonged to John Williamson. They were his shorts and they were used to wrap up these packages.
“It can be reasonably inferred that he used his house to store drugs and used his house as a safe house. He knew these drugs were stored in the storage cupboard.”
After being found guilty of drug supply, Williamson was warned that he faced a prison sentence, but was freed on bail pending the preparation of background reports.