iStockA drug dealer who accidentally led police officers to his haul of heroin has been jailed.
Ryan McNair had dialled 999 to a property in Lochend, Edinburgh, after his partner had taken a suspected drug overdose on March 21, 2020.
The 31-year-old was taken away from the property by officers as it had become a crime scene.
McNair asked officers to get him clothes, which took them to his drugs stash and paraphernalia in his kitchen.
On Thursday, McNair pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to being concerned in the supply of diamorphine.
He was sentenced to five years and 219 days by judge Lord Mulholland.
The sentence will commence with McNair attending a mental health hospital for his diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia.
The judge told McNair: “You are 31 years old and have 14 previous convictions extending from 2008 until 2018.
“There are two in particular you were convicted for the same crime.
“You will continue to receive treatment for your mental health at the hospital until the appropriate treatment has ended.
“If that process ends with the sentence outstanding you will be sent to jail to complete that term.”
The court heard McNair dialled 999 at 3.10pm.
Prosecutor Blair Speed said: “He stated that his girlfriend had passed away from a drugs overdose.
“As it transpired, she wasn’t dead but clearly ill and taken to hospital.”
McNair was taken from the house in the meantime as it became a crime scene.
Mr Speed said: “At the request of McNair, he asked for clothing and his medication.
“Police officers came across money, brown powder and scales.”
A search was commenced which uncovered a bag containing £680 in cash.
In the kitchen cupboard, 14.03 grams of heroin with 15% purity and £185 in cash was found.
Papers containing McNair’s name and address were also spotted in a bag.
Mr Speed added: “A phone recovered had numbers and messages for his involvement in the supply of drugs.”
McNair initially denied being involved and pointed the blame at his partner.
The bags and scales were analysed and found to contain McNair’s DNA.
The value of the heroin could reach a potential £1030 if divided into microgram deals.
Mr Speed said: “Incriminating messages were found…where he was talking about taking a personal risk by dropping drugs off as he had two previous convictions and could get seven years if caught again.”
Susan Duff, defending, told the court McNair’s presentation had changed from a “larger than life” character and is now a “shadow of his former self.”
She added: “He called the emergency services when he could see his girlfriend’s life was in danger.”
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
