Jailed Lanarkshire drug dealer will miss baby birth

A man caught with £114,000 worth of cocaine has been jailed despite a plea from his lawyer that he will miss the birth of his first child.

Police found drugs after searching John Graffen's van in Rutherglen in South Lanarkshire in March.

A further stash was also recovered from his home in Cambuslang.

The 41-year-old, who admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, was sentenced to four years and three months.

The High Court in Glasgow heard police, acting on a tip-off, followed Graffen after he left his home in his transit van.

After the vehicle was searched, officers took him back to the house.

Prosecutor Michael Stewart told the court: "Graffen was asked if there were any controlled drugs on the premises.

"He replied 'Yes underneath the chest of drawers in the kitchen next to my fridge'."

Graffen admitted the stash was cocaine and said it all belonged to him.

He claimed he had been "coerced" into storing and supplying the drugs to clear a debt.

John Keenan, defending, said Graffen was an example of a man who had dabbled in drugs and became addicted.

He told the court his client's pregnant partner was due to have a her baby in six weeks times and a prison term would mean he would miss the birth.

Jailing Graffen, judge Lady Dorrian said: "You became involved deliberately in the supply of drugs."