A former oil worker from Kirriemuir whose life “spiralled out of control” has been jailed for eight months for drug offences.
Robert Pendreigh, 49, Roods Place, ended up with an addiction problem after losing his job a few years ago following the oil price slump.
He admitted that on April 23 at his home address he was concerned in the supply of heroin.
He further admitted that on the same date he was in possession of methadone.
Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said a search warrant was executed by police.
She said police recovered 26.2 grams of heroin with a street value of £920 from the bathroom and from bags in the livingroom.
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They also seized three bottles of methadone and £680 in cash including £580 which was in a box.
Two sets of scales, an iPhone and a black notebook were also recovered.
Pendreigh said all the items were his with the exception of the scales. He said the drugs were for personal use and he was not selling to others.
A defence agent said his client was a former subsea supervisor in the offshore industry.
“He worked across the world,” he said. “He won’t be the first offshore worker that has ended up with an addiction problem.
“Things spiralled out of control and he is thoroughly ashamed. He lost his job when the oil price went down.
“He is remorseful and is seeking help for his drugs problem.
“I would ask your lordship to impose a community-based disposal as an alternative to custody.
“He may come out of that a stronger person. He wants to get in the oil industry.”
Sheriff Gregor Murray said he was unable to deal with the matter by imposing anything other than a custodial sentence.
He said: “Yours is a genuinely drastic example of one man’s descent from well-paid employment to where you find yourself today.
“I have listed to what your solicitor has said on your behalf but the drugs paraphanelia and cash being found leave me with no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence.
“I sentence you to eight months in prison.”
