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Custody for record crack dealer Custody for record crack dealer
(30 minutes later)
A teenager caught in Aberdeen with Scotland's largest single haul of crack cocaine worth more than £100,000 has been given three years in custody. A teenager caught with Scotland's largest single haul of crack cocaine in Aberdeen has been detained for three years.
Michael Singh, 18, had been offered the chance to earn £400 a week while he was getting £10 a week pocket money. Michael Singh, 18, admitted involvement with crack cocaine worth more than £100,000, and heroin worth £63,000.
He also admitted involvement with heroin worth £63,000. Singh, from Wolverhampton, had been offered the chance of £400 a week while he was getting £10 a week pocket money.
Singh, from Wolverhampton, was told at the High Court in Edinburgh that he would have received a longer sentence if found guilty after trial. He was told at the High Court in Edinburgh that going to trial would have earned a longer sentence.
Police had been told that Singh would ferry drugs from a flat to other parts of Aberdeen by taxi.Police had been told that Singh would ferry drugs from a flat to other parts of Aberdeen by taxi.
He was caught in April this year after a police surveillance operation and admitted being concerned in the supply of drugs.He was caught in April this year after a police surveillance operation and admitted being concerned in the supply of drugs.
He does now appear to have a greater insight into the misery that these sort of drugs can cause Frances ConnorDefence counselHe does now appear to have a greater insight into the misery that these sort of drugs can cause Frances ConnorDefence counsel
Defence counsel Frances Connor said Singh was recruited to the operation by a woman.Defence counsel Frances Connor said Singh was recruited to the operation by a woman.
She said he was "a little immature and naive even for his age" and had been excited at the prospect of earning money.She said he was "a little immature and naive even for his age" and had been excited at the prospect of earning money.
"He had no previous involvement with drugs or organised crime and as such was unlikely to attract attention from the police or authorities," she said."He had no previous involvement with drugs or organised crime and as such was unlikely to attract attention from the police or authorities," she said.
'Vulnerable people''Vulnerable people'
Singh was given money for his train fare to Aberdeen, a sandwich and the address of the flat in the city he was to go to.Singh was given money for his train fare to Aberdeen, a sandwich and the address of the flat in the city he was to go to.
"He does now appear to have a greater insight into the misery that these sort of drugs can cause," said Ms Connor."He does now appear to have a greater insight into the misery that these sort of drugs can cause," said Ms Connor.
"In his time in Aberdeen prison he has been exposed to drug addicts and also inmates who have lectured him about what drugs can do and the misery they cause.""In his time in Aberdeen prison he has been exposed to drug addicts and also inmates who have lectured him about what drugs can do and the misery they cause."
Lord Brodie told Singh that if he was older and had been convicted of the offences after trial he would have faced a sentence in excess of five years.Lord Brodie told Singh that if he was older and had been convicted of the offences after trial he would have faced a sentence in excess of five years.
The judge said: "The pattern is that the people who no doubt make the money out of this activity use young people, vulnerable people, as the essential elements in the supply operation."The judge said: "The pattern is that the people who no doubt make the money out of this activity use young people, vulnerable people, as the essential elements in the supply operation."
Lord Brodie said he would reduce the sentence of detention in a young offenders' institution to be imposed on Singh because of his guilty plea.Lord Brodie said he would reduce the sentence of detention in a young offenders' institution to be imposed on Singh because of his guilty plea.