Nwicker60
01-Nov-12, 09:09
"I was framed" says alleged drug pedlar accused
A SELF-CONFESSED drug addict told a court that a stash of cannabis resin police discovered at a camper van in which he was “dossing”, was a consignment he had found and decided to keep for himself.
Robert Barnetson (41) claimed in court yesterday that the people who owned the drugs, found out about it and had decided to frame him.
He declined to name them, saying that he had already had a visit from them and feared for his safety, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
Barnetson denies being involved in the supply of drugs at West Yarrow Croft, near the hamlet of Thrumster, on October 14, last year. The jury was told that police, who raided the croft, found a significant quantity cannabis resin, with a street value of £2,800 and almost £2000 in cash. Detective Constable Michael Donn said he had no hesitation in stating that the “significant seizure” was destined for “onward supply”.
Giving evidence, Barnetson (41) said he had been dossing in a camper van at the croft, at the time, although his present address was 29 Huddart Street, Wick. He told the court that he had recovered the cannabis bars hidden behind bricks in a wall. He knew of its existence having overhearing ‘a conversation’ and “the temptation proved too great”.
Barnetson agreed with his solicitor, John McGeechen, that he, the accused, was not “a Robin Hood” type of person and had decided to keep the drugs for himself and shifted them into the campervan.
He told the court: “I would not normally steal anyone else’s stash but this group of people deserved it. They are nasty drug dealers who specialise in ripping people off and terrorising people. I have no qualms about ripping them off.”
The accused said he had acquired the cannabis resin about two weeks before the police raid which he was convinced had been instigated by the rightful owners of the cannabis who had decided to “set me up” by way of revenge.
He said that the police were originally looking for guns when they arrived at the croft. The cannabis owners knew that this would get a sharp response from the law and, of course, could not give the drugs as the real reason when they “grassed me up”.
Replying to Mr McGeechen, Barnetson, a regular cannabis smoker, said it would not have been wise to start selling the resin he had stolen, as word would get out and it would not have been long before the rightful owners would have “put two-and-two together.”
He revealed, however, that following the raid, the owners of the cannabis had found out and paid him a visit. Barnetson said: “They told me they knew I had taken it and said I would have to pay it back. There have been threats of violence.”
Asked why he declined to identify the people to the police and get them put away, Barnetson replied: “ I don’t grass and anyway I am in enough trouble with these people. I am in deep trouble up to here”- indicating to below his chin.
The accused denied he had made up the story to get himself out of trouble and rejected the suggestion that he had sold drugs to supplement his income during poor patches in his livelihood.
Earlier, the jury heard about transactions from the various avenues of self-employed Barnetson’s business deals, gathering whelks, loading and buying and selling cars, all of which, he maintained, was above board. Cash found at the croft was the proceeds of car sales.
Barnetson was asked about a sheet containing the lyrics to a song in which the composer, R. Barnetson refers to selling drugs, found by the police.
The accused said that the composer was his musician brother Richard but he didn’t sell drugs and the accused agreed with Mr McGeechen that the lyrics were “poetic licence” left in the camper van along with other items of his material.
The trial continues.
A SELF-CONFESSED drug addict told a court that a stash of cannabis resin police discovered at a camper van in which he was “dossing”, was a consignment he had found and decided to keep for himself.
Robert Barnetson (41) claimed in court yesterday that the people who owned the drugs, found out about it and had decided to frame him.
He declined to name them, saying that he had already had a visit from them and feared for his safety, Wick Sheriff Court heard yesterday.
Barnetson denies being involved in the supply of drugs at West Yarrow Croft, near the hamlet of Thrumster, on October 14, last year. The jury was told that police, who raided the croft, found a significant quantity cannabis resin, with a street value of £2,800 and almost £2000 in cash. Detective Constable Michael Donn said he had no hesitation in stating that the “significant seizure” was destined for “onward supply”.
Giving evidence, Barnetson (41) said he had been dossing in a camper van at the croft, at the time, although his present address was 29 Huddart Street, Wick. He told the court that he had recovered the cannabis bars hidden behind bricks in a wall. He knew of its existence having overhearing ‘a conversation’ and “the temptation proved too great”.
Barnetson agreed with his solicitor, John McGeechen, that he, the accused, was not “a Robin Hood” type of person and had decided to keep the drugs for himself and shifted them into the campervan.
He told the court: “I would not normally steal anyone else’s stash but this group of people deserved it. They are nasty drug dealers who specialise in ripping people off and terrorising people. I have no qualms about ripping them off.”
The accused said he had acquired the cannabis resin about two weeks before the police raid which he was convinced had been instigated by the rightful owners of the cannabis who had decided to “set me up” by way of revenge.
He said that the police were originally looking for guns when they arrived at the croft. The cannabis owners knew that this would get a sharp response from the law and, of course, could not give the drugs as the real reason when they “grassed me up”.
Replying to Mr McGeechen, Barnetson, a regular cannabis smoker, said it would not have been wise to start selling the resin he had stolen, as word would get out and it would not have been long before the rightful owners would have “put two-and-two together.”
He revealed, however, that following the raid, the owners of the cannabis had found out and paid him a visit. Barnetson said: “They told me they knew I had taken it and said I would have to pay it back. There have been threats of violence.”
Asked why he declined to identify the people to the police and get them put away, Barnetson replied: “ I don’t grass and anyway I am in enough trouble with these people. I am in deep trouble up to here”- indicating to below his chin.
The accused denied he had made up the story to get himself out of trouble and rejected the suggestion that he had sold drugs to supplement his income during poor patches in his livelihood.
Earlier, the jury heard about transactions from the various avenues of self-employed Barnetson’s business deals, gathering whelks, loading and buying and selling cars, all of which, he maintained, was above board. Cash found at the croft was the proceeds of car sales.
Barnetson was asked about a sheet containing the lyrics to a song in which the composer, R. Barnetson refers to selling drugs, found by the police.
The accused said that the composer was his musician brother Richard but he didn’t sell drugs and the accused agreed with Mr McGeechen that the lyrics were “poetic licence” left in the camper van along with other items of his material.
The trial continues.