Man supplied drugs to sons

Cole pleaded for a non-custodial sentence

A man who supplied drugs to his two sons has been jailed for five years.

Cameron Cole's counsel urged the judge at Edinburgh's High Court not to send him to jail because he feared his sons would have no-one to help them kick their addiction.

However Lady Cosgrove rejected the 43-year-old's plea and said that substanial quantities of a variety of drugs were involved.

The judge had heard how a quantity of high purity amphetamine was uncovered in Cole's home in Ruchazie, Glasgow, weeks after police had found drugs on an earlier raid.

Police found a substantial drugs haul

The amphetamine could have had a street value between £4000 and £8000.

Cole, of Caprington Street had pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of amphetamine, diazepam and ecstasy between June and October 1998.

The charges included information that he had supplied drugs to his sons Craig, 21, and Kirk, 19.

At the High Court on Friday, solicitor advocate Andy Berry, defending, said Cole got involved through what he described as "misguided loyalty."

He said Cole feared his sons would end up on the list of Scotland's drugs victims.

Craving for heroin

He had distrusted the use of the heroin substitute methadone as a treatment for addiction.

The tranquilliser diazepam was used to help his sons sleep at night and the amphetamine was aimed at helping them counter their craving for heroin during the day.

Mr Bell said: "He took, perhaps bizarrely, the view that he was better placed to help with the detoxification of his sons.

"If he is to go into custody the sons won't have the guidance and support of their father, for whatever that may be worth."

Passing sentence, Lady Cosgrove said she had considered everything said on Cole's behalf.

"But a substantial quantity of a variety of drugs was involved," she said

The judge said Cole's admission meant a shorter sentence was passed.