Man returned to crime after pandemic 'left him broke'

A man returned to crime after the pandemic left him broke, a court has heard.

John Lindores was held after a drugs bust at his home in Knightswood, Glasgow, on February 24 this year.

Police found sheets of paper soaked with Etizolam – known as street valium.

On Thursday at the High Court in Glasgow, Lindores was jailed for two years after he pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of the drug.

The 58-year-old had previously been locked in 2012 for his role in a large cannabis haul being seized.

Prosecutor Michael Meehan QC told how in this latest case police found a printer and indentation machine as well as a pile of blotting paper at Lindores’ house.

The set-up allowed Etizolam to be “sprayed or washed” onto the sheets with each then consisting of 704 individual deals.

Lindores told police two men had earlier come to his home and he was given “instructions” on what to do.

Mr Meehan said: “Lindores was candid at [the] interview and indicated he was suspicious there was criminality given his knowledge of the individuals’ background.”

Two of the sheets found tested positive for Etizolam, with each having a potential value of £500.

Sarah Livingstone, defending, said cleaner Lindores had been a long-term cannabis user.

The lawyer added: “He tells me he got off it, but then Covid-19 happened.

“People were locked up and his addiction returned.

“His job hours were cut, he was not receiving furlough, so his income was reduced.

“His drug debt ran into the low-hundreds and he was asked to do this for a day.

“He is a typical drug user who becomes involved.”

The court was told Lindores was also affected by other personal issues, but that these were improving.

Lord Fairley said the jail-term would have been three years, but for the guilty plea.