A FORMER squaddie who saw "unsavoury things" whilst on tour in Ireland and Afghanistan has been fined after being caught with cannabis.
Thomas McVey, 45, and two of his friends came to the attention of police while sitting in a car. When officers told the accused that he was being detained for a search, he quickly attempted to swallow a small plastic bag.
The constables retrieved the packet and recovered another nine bags of cannabis from the boot of the motor.
The incident happened in McVey's home street of Eastside, Kirkintilloch, on May 3, 2017.
At Glasgow Sheriff Court this week, McVey pleaded guilty to having cannabis in his possession and obstructing two officers by attempting to ingest the Class B drug.
In defence it was explained that the accused was in the armed forces for several years with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
After tours in Ireland and Afghanistan – where he saw "unsavoury things" – he returned home with anxiety and depression.
McVey, who is now on a prescribed cocktail of medication, was said to have panicked when he saw the police and spat the packet back out when ordered.
Sheriff Charlotte Coutts fined the accused £120.
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