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Schoolboy used as drugs courier

Richard Hollis, who was 16 at the time, escaped detention when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh, after the judge was told he had learned from his mistake.

Lord Eassie placed Hollis, who is now 17, on probation for two years and ordered him to undertake 100 hours unpaid community work.

The court heard how Hollis, from Shropshire, was tracked by police, who were tipped off about his arrival from the East Midlands, when he got off a bus in Aberdeen.

They recovered a parcel of drugs, which was wrapped in a towel, from a bag he was carrying.

In court Hollis of, Woodside, in Telford, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of ecstasy, cannabis resin and amphetamine on 4 February last year.

Advocate depute Martin Jones, prosecuting, said: "I think it is fair to say that the restricted part played by the accused in this case was acting as courier."

Hollis agreed to carry the bag in return for his bus fare, the court heard.

He said he suspected he was carrying drugs but did not look inside the bag and did not know how much was there.

Taken advantage of

Solicitor advocate George Mathers, defending Hollis, said: "He was three months past his 16th birthday. He was still a schoolboy. He was undoubtedly taken advantage of."

Police found 1kg of cannabis resin, 286 tablets of ecstasy and 5oz of amphetamine.

Police said the amphetamine could fetch pounds £32,505 on the streets.

They valued the ecstasy tablets at £2,860 and the cannabis resin at £5,025.

Mr Mathers said a background report by social workers stated that during the 18 months since the offence Hollis had matured considerably and developed a sense of responsibility.

Lord Eassie said he was taking the comments into account and warned Hollis the offence normally led to jail.

Outside the court, Hollis hugged his girlfriend but refused to comment on the case.

Relevant Stories

Anti-drugs drive launched (18 Aug 99 | Scotland)
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Drugs trade 'threatens mankind' (04 May 99 | UK)

Internet Links

Scottish Courts Service
National Criminal Intelligence Service

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