Published: Friday, 21st November, 2008 12:30pm

Buddhist builder jailed for selling cannabis

by David Knox

A PEEBLES building boss who boosted business by selling hash has been jailed for two years.

Andrew Cleghorn was caught with over £5,000 worth of cannabis on October 8.

Cops raided the builder"s yard at Laverlaw Farm, near Cardrona, and discovered more than 2kgs of the drug in a metal container along with scales and plastic bags.

The 44-year-old employs two brickies from his Cardrona-based premises.

Procurator Fiscal Duncan MacNeill told Peebles Sheriff Court: 'The cannabis resin could be bought in bulk for around £2,200 and has a sell-on price of £5,600.

'Police had become aware that the accused was in possession of substantial amounts and obtained a search warrant.

'He showed them where it was within a metal container. They also recovered many other items often found with people who sell on cannabis.'

Cleghorn began using weed to help him stop drinking after years of battling the bottle.

And he also practiced Buddhism to help in his recovery from alcoholism.

But the court was also told that Cleghorn has already done time for growing and selling the drug five years ago - and he has three previous convictions for possession.

Defence lawyer Mark Harrower told the court: 'One of the things he has used to help him stop drinking and acting in an anti social way is to take cannabis.

'It is well known in Peebles that he takes cannabis.'

Mr Harrower also explained that Cleghorn was worried for the welfare of animals he keeps at the rural farm.

But Sheriff John Horsburgh told him that a custodial sentence was inevitable.

The Sheriff told Cleghorn: 'You have a significant record concerning drugs and this was a substantial quantity.'

Cleghorn was jailed for two years and £775 found during the police raid was seized.

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